Airhead Operations: Where AMC Delivers: The Linchpin of Rapid Force Projection - Mogadishu, Somalia, Operation Restore Hope, Air Mobility

Credible force projection has been essential to this country's national policy because of our geostrategic relationship with the rest of the world. The ongoing downsizing of US military forces and their return to the Continental United States (CONUS) have placed increased emphasis on the structure for rapidly and effectively moving forces from the United States to an operational theater. Lt Col John L. Cirafici's research is timely. Air mobility forces in the airhead are crucial to the combatant commander's theater operations. He relies on them to introduce forces to the theater, to sustain them, to support intratheater movement, and to redeploy forces to the CONUS.

Colonel Cirafici provides a clear picture of theater air mobility forces structure, their capabilities, and limitations. He has identified problem areas, and recommended improvements. Colonel Cirafici has looked to the future and examined how ongoing changes in theater air mobility forces and equipment will increase the combatant commander's options in the theater. The greatest value of his study is to create a clearer understanding of how theater air mobility forces act to enhance operations and support the battlefield.

Contents * FOREWORD * INTRODUCTION * Notes * Chapter 1 * AIR MOBILITY IN A NEW ERA * The "Air Bridge" * Notes * Chapter 2 * THE AIR MOBILITY COMMAND STRUCTURE WITHIN THE THEATER * Air Mobility Element * Tanker Airlift Control Element * Combat Control Team * Aeromedical Evacuation * Conclusion * Notes * Chapter 3 * OPERATION RESTORE HOPE (SOMALIA): A CASE STUDY FOR AIRHEAD OPERATIONS * The Background * Initial Operations: Provide Relief * The Crisis Action Process * Restore Hope: Operations in the Theater * The Deployment of Forces * Mogadishu Airhead Operations * Airhead Operations outside Mogadishu * The Air Mobility Element * Intratheater Airlift * Runway Deterioration * Flow Control * Mission Accomplishment * Notes * Chapter 4 * RESTORE HOPE: LESSONS LEARNED * Operational Problems * Command and Control * Management of Airfield Real Estate * Flow Control * Communications * Ground Security Integration * Sustainment and Support * Sustainment * Logistical Support * Shelters * Notes * Chapter 5 * WHERE ARE WE GOING FROM HERE? * The C-17 Globemaster III * The C-17 at the Airfield * Throughput * Materials Handling Equipment * The KC-10 Self-Contained Loading Platform * In-Transit Visibility * The Remote Consolidated Aerial Port System * Global Reach Laydown * Air Mobility Operations Groups * Conclusions and Recommendations * Notes