Strategic Analysis of Air National Guard Combat Support and Reachback Functions

Book excerpt: VANGUARD is the Air National Guard (ANG) long-range transformation program. It calls for the ANG to evaluate new concepts, prepare for new missions, and adopt a new culture that capitalizes on ANG strengths and ensures that the ANG continues to add value as warfighters and to warfighters in the future while remaining ready, reliable and accessible. One way to support warfighting and warfighters is to continue to support the Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF), a concept developed by the Air Force to allow quick response, when appropriate, to national security interests with a tailored, sustainable force. The ANG already plays an important role in the AEF during wartime operations. This monograph evaluates options for Air National Guard combat support and reachback missions in four Air Force mission areas to support the AEF, investigates transformational opportunities for the ANG that would add the most value in achieving the desired operational effects, and considers how changes in unit and above-unit policies are likely to affect Total Force capabilities. It should be of interest to logisticians, operators, and mobility planners throughout the Department of Defense, especially those in the Air National Guard and active Air Force.