Chapter 4 Flashcards
Air Force doctrine is a statement _______. (4.2.1.)
-of officially sanctioned beliefs, war-fighting principles, and terminology-that describes and guides the proper use of air, space, and cyberspace power in military operations-of what we have come to understand, based on our experience to date
The Air Force promulgates and teaches doctrine as: (4.2.2.)
-a common frame of reference on the best way to prepare and employ Air Force forces-a common set of understandings on which Airmen base their decisions-a common terminology which facilitates precision in expressing our ideas
The Air Force promulgates and teaches doctrine as a common frame of reference on the best way to prepare and employ Air Force forces. But, in application, doctrine should be: (4.2.3.)
used with judgment; we should strive to be doctrinally sound, not doctrinally bound
In what seems to be a continuous series of deployments, we no longer face the challenge of starting with a blank sheet of paper because doctrine provides an informed starting point for many decisions. Doctrine, properly applied, will: (4.2.4.)
often provide a 70, 80, or even 90 percent solution to most questions
Good doctrine informs, provides a sound departure point, and allows flexibility; bad doctrine overly binds and restricts creativity. Good doctrine can help, but: (4.2.5.)
it must be intelligently applied
Doctrine is about warfighting, not physics. This principle specifically addresses the perceived differences between operations in air, space, and cyberspace and focuses on: (4.2.6.)
the best means to obtain warfighting effects regardless of the domain in which a platform operates
Doctrine is about effects, not platforms. It focuses on the desired outcome of a particular action, not on the system or weapon that provides the effect. An example of this concept is: (4.2.7.)
-the recognition that bombers are not only “strategic”-the understanding that fighters are not solely “tactical”-the realization that it doesn’t matter if a platform is manned or unmanned
Doctrine is about effects, not platforms. Doctrine focuses on the _______ in a particular action. (4.2.7.)
desired outcome
Doctrine is about using domains, not owning domains. This is characterized by: (4.2.8.)
an integration of efforts and avoiding ownership arguments
Doctrine is about organization, not organizations. Modern warfare demands that disparate parts of different services, different nations, and even differing functions within a single service be brought together intelligently to achieve unity of effort. This requires: (4.2.9.)
a single, cohesive organization with clearly defined lines of command
Doctrine is about synergy, not segregation. Segregation: (4.2.10.)
guarantees that the whole will never be greater than the sum of its parts
Doctrine is about integration, not just synchronization. ________ is the arrangement of military actions in time, space, and purpose to produce maximum relative combat power at a decisive place and time. (4.2.11.)
synchronization
From an Airman’s perspective, synchronization is a tactical tool and doesn’t necessarily scale up to the operational level. Synchronization is limiting because: (4.2.11.)
it is an additive “sum of the parts” model
Doctrine is about integration, not just synchronization. Synchronization emphasizes ________ while integration considers priority and effect to be both efficient and effective with scarce resources. (4.2.11.)
timing
Doctrine is about what’s important, not who’s important. Good doctrine should point to the important things a commander should do and explain why they should be done. It should be _______. (4.2.12.)
about using the right capability to best accomplish the mission
Doctrine is about the right force, not just equal shares of the force. This addresses the proper mix of service components within a joint force. Some believe that a joint force requires equal parts of all the services. This is incorrect. Joint warfighting: (4.2.13.)
is not like Little League baseball where everyone gets a turn at bat
The Air Force places airpower doctrine at different levels and depths of detail and defines doctrine in three types: (4.3.)
basic, operational, and tactical
The Air Force places airpower doctrine at different levels and depths of detail in the forms of basic, operational, and tactical doctrine. Which form of doctrine provides broad and continuing guidance on how Air Force forces are organized, equipped, sustained, and employed? (4.3.1.)
basic doctrine
The Air Force defines airpower doctrine at three levels: basic, operational, and tactical. Which level of doctrine describes more detailed organization of forces and guides the proper organization and employment of forces in the context of distinct objectives, force capabilities, broad functional areas, and operational environments? (4.3.2.)
operational doctrine
The Air Force defines airpower doctrine at three levels: basic, operational, and tactical. Which level describes the proper employment of specific U.S. Air Force assets, individually or in concert with other assets, to accomplish detailed objectives? (4.3.3.)
tactical doctrine
The Air Force defines airpower doctrine at three levels: basic, operational, and tactical. Which level is so closely associated with the employment of technology and emerging tactics that change may occur more rapidly than in other levels of doctrine? (4.3.3.)
tactical doctrine
The Air Force defines airpower doctrine at three levels: basic, operational, and tactical with each level having its own published reference. What is the reference for tactical doctrine? (4.3.3.)
TTP 3-series publications
Because of the unique nature of Air Force forces, the perspective of Airmen is necessarily different. The study of airpower leads to a distinctive point of view that General Henry H. (“Hap”) Arnold termed _______. (4.4.1.)
airmindedness
Airpower is an inherently _______ force due to its ability to affect an enemy’s critical vulnerabilities immediately and continuously as well as its nonlethal influence, as in humanitarian relief and security cooperation activities. (4.4.1.2.)
strategic
Airpower can exploit the principles of mass and maneuver simultaneously to a far greater extent than surface forces are able and dominates the fourth dimension. What is the fourth dimension? (4.4.1.3.)
time
Air Force forces are less culturally intrusive in many scenarios. Surface forces are composed of many people and vehicles which, when arrayed for operations, cover a significant area. ________ has a smaller cultural footprint when deployed. (4.4.1.5.)
Airpower
Airpower’s inherent speed, range, and flexibility combine to make it the most versatile component of military power. The versatility of airpower derives not only from the inherent characteristics of air forces themselves, but also from: (4.4.1.6.)
the manner in which they are organized and controlled
Airpower results from the effective integration of capabilities, people, weapons, bases, logistics, and all supporting infrastructure. No one aspect of air, space, and cyberspace capabilities should be treated in isolation because: (4.4.1.7.)
each element is essential and interdependent
Airpower results from the effective integration of capabilities, people, weapons, bases, logistics, and all supporting infrastructure but ultimately, airpower depends on _______. (4.4.1.7.)
the people who operate, command, and sustain air, space, and cyberspace forces
The choice of weapons is a key aspect in the realization of airpower. Weapons should be selected based on: (4.4.1.8.)
their ability to influence an adversary’s capability and will
Airpower’s unique characteristics necessitate that it be centrally controlled by Airmen because: (4.4.1.10.)
Airmen take a broader view of war because the weapons they command have effects at broader levels of war
What are the Principles of War? (4.4.2.)
-principles that have tended to produce military victory throughout the history of conflict-“truths” of warfare that have emerged from ancient times to the present-“those aspects of warfare that are universally true and relevant”
The principle of war that states that the concentration of effort for every objective under one responsible commander is necessary to gain the most effective and efficient application is: (4.4.2.1.)
Unity of Command
This principle of war is concerned with directing military operations toward a defined and attainable objective that contributes to strategic, operational, and tactical aims. In application, this principle refers to unity of effort. (4.4.2.2.)
objective
Offensive action is to seize, retain, and exploit the initiative. The offensive aim is to act rather than react, and dictates the time, place, purpose, scope, intensity, and pace of operations. This principle of war is particularly significant to airpower because it is best used as _______. (4.4.2.3.)
an offensive weapon
Which Principle of War states that success in war is generally attained only while on the offensive? (4.4.2.3.)
offensive
Airpower is inherently _______ at the tactical level, even when employed in operational or strategic defense. (4.4.2.3.)
offensive
The principle of war that concentrates the effects of combat power at the most advantageous place and time to achieve decisive results is _______. (4.4.2.4.)
mass
The principle of war that places the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power in a multidimensional combat space is _______. (4.4.2.5.)
maneuver
This principle of war is the judicious employment and distribution of forces that ensures that any effort made toward secondary objectives does not degrade achievement of the larger operational or strategic objectives. (4.4.2.6.)
economy of force
The purpose of this principle of war is to never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage. The lethal consequences of enemy attack make this principle a paramount concern. (4.4.2.7.)
security
Critical to security (as a principle of war) is the understanding that it embraces physical security and: (4.4.2.7.)
security of the information environment
Which principle of war leverages the security principle by attacking the enemy at a time, place, or in a manner for which they are not prepared? (4.4.2.8.)
suprise
Which principle of war calls for avoiding unnecessary complexity in organizing, preparing, planning, and conducting military operations? (4.4.2.9.)
simplicity
The application of airpower is refined by several fundamental guiding truths known as _______. (4.4.3.)
tenets
While the principles of war provide general guidance on the application of military forces, the tenets of air power provide more specific considerations for the employment of air, space, and cyberspace capabilities. They reflect: (4.4.3.)
the specific lessons of airpower capabilities throughout history
Which tenet of airpower is the oldest and remains the keystone of success in modern warfare? (4.4.3.)
centralized control and decentralized execution
Centralized control and decentralized execution of airpower are critical to effective employment. The delegation of authority to designated lower-level commanders and other tactical-level decision makers to achieve effective span of control is known as: (4.4.3.1.)
decentralized execution
This tenet allows airpower to exploit mass and maneuver simultaneously. (4.4.3.2.)
flexibility
Although often used interchangeably, the tenets of flexibility and versatility are different. Versatility: (4.4.3.2.)
is the ability to employ airpower effectively at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of warfare and provide a wide variety of tasks in concert with other joint force elements
Which tenet states that the proper application of a coordinated force can produce effects that exceed the contributions of forces employed individually? (4.4.3.3.)
Synergistic Effects
Examples of the tenet of persistence might be: (4.4.3.4.)
-assuring that targets are kept continually out of commission-maintaining a continuous flow of materiel to peacetime distressed areas-constantly monitoring adversaries to ensure compliance with agreements
This tenet describes the effort to concentrate overwhelming power at the decisive time and place. (4.4.3.5.)
concentration
The tenet of priority is important because: (4.4.3.6.)
the demands for airpower may exceed available resources
The tenet of balance is an essential guideline for air component commanders because: (4.4.3.7.)
the principles of war and the tenets of airpower must be balanced to bring Air Force capabilities together to produce a synergistic effect
In order to describe what airpower in general, and the Air Force in particular, bring to the Nation, Airmen should first understand the distinctions among: (4.4.4.)
roles, missions, and functions
In order to describe what airpower in general, and the Air Force in particular, bring to the Nation, Airmen should first understand the distinctions among roles, missions, and functions. In brief, the primary function of the Services is to: (4.4.4.)
organize, train, equip and administer military Service forces to perform a role
In order to describe what airpower in general, and the Air Force in particular, bring to the Nation, Airmen should first understand the distinctions among roles, missions, and functions. Roles are: (4.4.4.1.)
the broad and enduring purposes for which the Services were established by law
In order to describe what airpower in general, and the Air Force in particular, bring to the Nation, Airmen should first understand the distinctions among roles, missions, and functions. Missions are: (4.4.4.2.)
the tasks assigned by the President or SECDEF to the CCDRs
In order to describe what airpower in general, and the Air Force in particular, bring to the Nation, Airmen should first understand the distinctions among roles, missions, and functions. Functions are: (4.4.4.3.)
those specific responsibilities that enable the Services to fulfill their legally established roles
Recently the Air Force refined its understanding of the core duties and responsibilities it performs as a Service, streamlining what previously were 6 distinctive capabilities and 17 operational functions into 12 core functions. These core functions: (4.4.4.4.)
-express the ways in which the Air Force is suited to contribute to national security-do not necessarily express every aspect of what the Air Force contributes to the Nation-by themselves, are not doctrinal constructs
The Air Force revised its understanding of the core duties and responsibilities it performs, streamlining what previously were 6 distinctive capabilities and 17 operational functions into 12 core functions. The purpose of the core function of Nuclear Deterrence Operations is: (4.4.4.4.1.)
to maintain nuclear forces to deter an adversary from taking action against the U.S.
The core function of Nuclear Deterrence Operations (NDO) has subelements: (4.4.4.4.1.)
Assure/Dissuade/Deter, Nuclear Strike, and Nuclear Surety
The core function of Nuclear Deterrence Operations (NDO) has subelements of Assure/Dissuade/Deter, Nuclear Strike, and Nuclear Surety. Which of these ensures the safety, security and effectiveness of nuclear operations? (4.4.4.4.1.3.)
Nuclear Surety
Air Superiority is that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force. The subelements of this core function are: (4.4.4.4.2.)
Offensive Counterair, Defensive Counterair, and Airspace Control
The core function of Air Superiority has subelements: Offensive Counterair, Defensive Counterair, and Airspace Control. Which element consists of offensive operations to destroy, disrupt, or neutralize enemy aircraft, missiles, launch platforms, and their supporting structures and systems both before and after launch, but as close to their source as possible? (4.4.4.4.2.1.)
Offensive Counterair
The core function of Air Superiority has subelements: Offensive Counterair, Defensive Counterair, and Airspace Control. Which element is the preferred method of countering air and missile threats because it attempts to defeat the enemy closer to its source and typically enjoys the initiative? (4.4.4.4.2.1.)
Offensive Counterair
The core function of Air Superiority has subelements: Offensive Counterair, Defensive Counterair, and Airspace Control. Which element involves all the defensive measures designed to detect, identify, intercept, and destroy or negate enemy forces attempting to penetrate or attack through friendly airspace? (4.4.4.4.2.2.)
Defensive Counterair
This core function is the degree of dominance in space of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, space, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force. (4.4.4.4.3.)
Space Superiority
Space superiority is the degree of dominance in space of one force over another. The subelements of this core function are: (4.4.4.4.3.)
Space Force Enhancement, Space Force Application, and Space Control
Space superiority is the degree of dominance in space of one force over another with subelements of Space Force Enhancement, Space Force Application, and Space Control. The mission of Space Force Enhancement includes: (4.4.4.4.3.1.)
-intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance-integrated tactical warning and attack assessment-command, control, and communications, positioning, navigation, and timing, and environmental monitoring
The core function of Space superiority is comprised of the subelements of Space Force Enhancement, Space Force Application, and Space Control. The mission of Space Force Application includes: (4.4.4.4.3.2.)
ballistic missile defense and force projection
This core function is the operational advantage in, through, and from cyberspace to conduct operations at a given time and in a given domain without prohibitive interference. (4.4.4.4.4.)
Cyberspace Superiority
Cyberspace superiority is the operational advantage in, through, and from cyberspace to conduct operations at a given time and in a given domain without prohibitive interference. The subelements of this function are: (4.4.4.4.4.)
Cyberspace Force Application, Cyberspace Defense, and Cyberspace Support
This core function is the exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. (4.4.4.4.5.)
Command and Control (C2)
The core function of Command and Control (C2) operates at three levels: (4.4.4.4.5.)
Strategic Level C2, Operational Level C2, Tactical Level C2