Divergent Paths: the Centralization of Airlift Command, Control, and Execution

The Mobility Air Force is centralizing its command, control, and execution. This thesis describes how this is so, but restricts itself to the command, control, and execution of USAF airlift forces. For purposes here, centralizing is the movement toward a more centralized state. This does not necessarily mean the MAF has reached a centralized state, only that it is trending more so. The MAF is centralizing in its command because authority and responsibility over organization and resources are each consolidating under the AMC/USTRANSCOM commander. The MAF is centralizing in its control because all MAF assets fall under the control of a single commander at the theater-level or above. Furthermore, the AMC commander controls nearly 71 percent and increasing, of the military's airlift capacity. The MAF is centralizing in execution by demonstrating an increasing trend away from decentralized execution, currently exhibiting four of five doctrinal criterions indicative of centralizing execution, and may realize the fifth as the Integrated Flight Management program matures. This centralization overlooks the intent of the Goldwater-Nichols Act, weakens theater unity of command, and diverges from DOD Transformation initiatives. In light of this, the MAF should conduct an extensive reevaluation of its current command, control, and execution processes, methods, and organization.