Back to the Future

On January 1, 2000, the USAF began on a new journey-the Expeditionary Air Force. This concept involves the deployment of integrated fighter, bomber, and support aircraft and personnel on a rotational basis to meet the operational needs of the warfighting Commanders-in-Chief. The purpose of this research paper is to study historical use of land-based airpower to determine whether or not history supports the modern-day Expeditionary Air Force concept. It does not review the use of naval airpower. A general understanding of the modern EAF is provided as a benchmark for analysis. Following this foundational discussion is a look at the historical use of airpower as an expeditionary force, and some of the problems encountered with its employment along the way. Many parallels exist between the issues and challenges facing today`s EAF and those that faced expeditionary air forces in the past.