AFSOC Research Interests Lt Col Jared Harris, USAF Vice Commandant US Air Force Special Operations School

Overview Framing the AFSOC Vision and Direction Strategic Priority Alignment w/ Spectrum of Conflict Vision – Mission – Priorities Innovation Principles AFSOC Research Interests Research Use Points of Contact

Strategic Priority Alignment Compete, Deter, Win in a Long-Term, Strategic Competition Expand Competitive Space Build More Lethal Force Strengthen Allies and Partners Greater Performance and Affordability Restore Readiness Modernize for Lethality Innovate Develop Joint Leaders Strengthen Alliances Win Transform People BLUF: The message from our leaders at AFA was clear. I think Secretary Mattis said it best: “what we DO NOT want is to be dominant and at the same time irrelevant to our nation’s defense.” To remain LETHAL and RELEVANT in the future, AFSOC must be balanced across the spectrum. ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS: Addresses Secretary Mattis’ vision for the joint force: A more lethal and resilient force in contested environments New capabilities to disrupt adversaries Efficient and Effective Irregular Warfare and Counter‐Terrorism Lower cost of Persistent ISR and reduce resource burden on PED More efficient/cost effective strike in permissive environment During AFA Sec Mattis discussed the problem facing us today: “How do we maintain a nuclear deterrent & decisive conventional force while maintaining IW as a core competency? Because paradox of war is adversary will move against your perceived weakness.” “I talked about retaining IW as a Core Competency, because we need it to safeguard America.  What we do not want is to be dominant and at the same time irrelevant to our nation’s defense.” Our ability to balance across both ends of spectrum creates “cascading problems for the enemy”. SecAF has recently released her 5 priorities for the Air Force. “Restore Readiness, Cost-Effectively Modernize, Drive Innovation, Develop Exceptional Leaders, and Strengthen our Alliances” DoD, Air Force, & SOCOM have also released strategy guidance. “National Military Strategy” establishes how the DoD will address emerging threats. This guidance in turn influences the AF & SOCOM.   The Air Force aims to be a “Full‐Spectrum Capable Force Focused on the High‐End.” SOCOM has established a strategy of “Persistent, Networked, and Distributed” operations. To align w/ these strategies, AFSOC poses that we deliver Strategic Value to nation via 4 Operational Ways: Global Access, Persistent Engagement, Special Operations Strike & Worldwide Crisis Response. COMPETE BELOW THE THRESHOLD OF TRADITIONAL ARMED CONFLICT ACHIEVE STRATEGIC AND OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES IN CRISIS & CONFLICT COUNTER AND DEFEAT NON-STATE THREATS Low-End AFSOF SPECTRUM OF CONFLICT High-End Strategic guidance requires AFSOC to be A balanced force

Air Commandos…Ready Today, Relevant Tomorrow, Resilient Always VISION Air Commandos…Ready Today, Relevant Tomorrow, Resilient Always MISSION Provide our Nation’s specialized airpower, capable across the spectrum of conflict…Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere PRIORITIES Ensure READINESS to execute global special operations today Transform our force and fleet to maintain RELEVANCE tomorrow Invest in the RESILIENCY of our force, family, and relationships READINESS Accelerate Hyper-Enabled Special Operations with Space and Cyber Integration Ensure Air Commandos are Full-Spectrum Ready to Fight Tonight…No Regrets Strengthen Air Commando and Joint Leader Development RELEVANCE Balance Capabilities Across the Spectrum Cost Effectively Modernize the Force to Enhance Lethality Invest in Future Global Requirements Seeking Multi-Domain Solutions RESILIENCY Advance Comprehensive Airman Fitness and POTFF Initiatives Revitalize Our Squadrons Strengthen Relationships, Values, and Air Commando Culture BLUF: AFSOC’s 3 priorities align nicely within the priorities established by the DoD, AF, and SOCOM. ADDITIONAL TALKING POINTS: By being “Ready Today” we IMPROVE our READINESS to ensure we can WIN any fight, any time. Our people, facilities, equipment, and aircraft must be ready to answer the nation’s call at a moment’s notice, and respond to a threat anywhere on Earth. Our priority to be “Relevant Tomorrow” strives to TRANSFORM the force and achieve PROGRAM BALANCE via COST-EFFECTIVE MODERNIZATION FOR LETHALITY. We want to DRIVE INNOVATION & unleash creative ways to impose asymmetric costs against the enemy while buying time for Joint & Coalition forces. A force that is “Resilient Always” takes care of its PEOPLE by enriching the lives of its warriors, and BUILDS a cadre of JOINT LEADERS capable of STRENGTHENING ALLIANCES. We are developing Air Commandos who can present complex problems to the enemy and make decisions at an unmatched speed. USAF SOCOM

AFSOC 2030 There is a Way … We Find It TODAY TODAY Every Air Commando An Innovator TODAY TODAY Specialized Airpower COUNTER AND DEFEAT NON- STATE THREATS Balanced Force Across the Spectrum of Conflict Hide In Plain Sight Buy Time for the Joint Force Go More Austere And Distributed Build Partnerships and Access Options Leverage & Operate in Multiple Domains Create Multiple Dilemmas for our Adversaries COMPETE BELOW THE THRESHOLD OF TRADITIONAL ARMED CONFLICT ACHIEVE STRATEGIC & OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES IN CRISIS & CONFLICT There is a Way … We Find It

AFSOC Research Interests How austere can we go in our operations as a command? How can we create multiple dilemmas for our enemies? How can we hide in plain sight? How can we buy time for conventional forces? How do we address ethics within our formation in a meaningful way?

AFSOC Research Use Traditional Approach: Contracted studies inform leadership decision-making / programming Advanced Academic Degree (AAD) Students managed via personnel directorate New—AAD Graduate Research Forum: Co-hosted at Hurlburt Field, Florida by Alison Group, USAFSOS, and 492d SOACS Maintain repository of research & provide forum for presentations GOAL: Identify 2019 timeframe and potential presenters

Points of Contact AFSOC Alison Group AFSOC Cochran Group Lt Col Patrick Dierig DSN: 579-4718 Comm: 850-884-4718 patrick.dierig@us.af.mil AFSOC Cochran Group Maj Matthew Slack, PhD DSN: 579-7309 Comm: 850-884-7309 matthew.slack.1@us.af.mil US Air Force Special Operations School Ms. Susan R. Alaniz DSN: 579-1855 Comm: 850-884-1855 susan.alaniz.1@us.af.mil 492d Spec Ops Advanced Capabilities Sqdn Lt Col Jacoby Baker DSN: 579-3578 Comm: 850-884-3578 jacoby.baker@us.af.mil