Centralized Control with Decentralized Execution

Air Force Doctrine Document 1, the USAF capstone doctrine document highlights the tenet of centralized control with decentralized execution as crucial to the effective application of airpower. However, numerous forces are changing the applicability of that doctrine. US involvement in wars with limited aims, combined with the technology which allows senior commanders to see the common operational picture and view from the cockpit is driving a trend towards the centralization of air power execution. At the same time, the development of Network Centric Warfare can either centralize or decentralize the control and execution of air power.