Flexbasing: Achieving Global Presence For Expeditionary Aerospace Forces

The Expeditionary Aerospace Force (EAF) will need a strategy to deploy and employ forces in the face of uncertain overseas operating locations. The authors propose that this uncertainty can be managed by actively pursuing an overseas presence strategy based on maintaining high levels of logistical and operational flexibility. They call this strategy flexbasing. To leverage the advantages of aerospace power, the authors suggest establishment of a global logistics support system and provision of full-spectrum force protection for deployed forces. The Air Force should (1) establish a global system of core and forward support locations and forward operating locations; (2) maintain a robust mix of long- and short-range combat capabilities; (3) develop space as a forward support location; (4) advocate a global presence strategy as a joint initiative; (5) establish a global logistics/mobility support system for the EAF; and (6) provide full-spectrum