Technology, Organization and Doctrine Enhancing the Combat Capability of the On-Call AEW

The Expeditionary Aerospace Force (EAF) concept and the concurrent revolution in military affairs has introduced to the warfighter a multitude of means to better enable them to accomplish their mission. The Air Expeditionary Wing (AEW), as a part of the Air Expeditionary Force, will become the United States Air Force's quick reacting, on-call fighting force. It is essential that the Air Force leverage capabilities stemming from the revolution in military affairs and its accompanying revolution in military technology to improve the Air Expeditionary Wing's ability to not only react, but also to act. As the United States Air Force continues to develop the Expeditionary Aerospace Force concept, within the broad guidance of Joint Vision 2010 and Global Engagement, changes to three primary areas will need to take place. The technology, organizational structures and doctrine that the Air Expeditionary Wing incorporates needs to be adapted in light of this Revolution in Military Affairs. The Air Expeditionary Wing concept will present challenges to orthodox Air Force way of thought. New technologies, combined with new organizational structures demonstrated during recent deployments and Air Force experiments, and the introduction of commander's intent with mission-type orders can revolutionize the On-call AEW. To embrace innovation, one must accept change.