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Centralized Control/Decentralized Execution: A Valid Tenet of Airpower.

ADA434411

Publication Date	2005
Personal Author	Santicola, H. J.
Page Count	35
Abstract	Centralized control and decentralized execution are fundamental tenets of air power that have evolved over decades of aerial employment and centuries of command and control during war. Air power has unique characteristics that require a different command and control construct than surface-centric combat units. The tenets of centralized control and decentralized execution have recently come under fire due to emerging transformational concepts such as Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) and Effects- Based Operations (EBO). This paper examines the history of the concept of centralized control/decentralized execution from the advent of modern warfare through Operation Enduring Freedom. Current doctrinal definitions are discussed with an emphasis on the differences between Air Force doctrine and joint doctrine. The study highlights the result of poorly articulated doctrinal definitions, and demonstrates that service and joint doctrine as currently written make the concept of centralized control and decentralized execution logically impossible. Service and joint doctrine should change. Even in the face of emerging joint operations concepts, centralized control and decentralized execution remains a valid tenet for the organization and employment of air power.
Keywords	Military doctrine Command and control systems Joint military activities Conflict Air power Air force operations Military history Centralized Transformations Decentralization Afghanistan Serbia Air control centers First world war Korean war Persian gulf war Second world war Vietnam war Enduring freedom operation Air force doctrine Joint doctrine Centralized control Decentralized execution Desert storm operation Allied force operation Kosovo Ncw(Network centric warfare) Ebo(Effects based operations) Auftragstaktik Doctrinal differences Usawc strategy research project
Source Agency	Non Paid ADAS
Corporate Authors	Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Research paper.
NTIS Issue Number	200521

Centralized Control/Decentralized Execution: A Valid Tenet of Airpower.

Centralized Control/Decentralized Execution: A Valid Tenet of Airpower.
ADA434411

Publication Date	2005
Personal Author	Santicola, H. J.
Page Count	35
Abstract	Centralized control and decentralized execution are fundamental tenets of air power that have evolved over decades of aerial employment and centuries of command and control during war. Air power has unique characteristics that require a different command and control construct than surface-centric combat units. The tenets of centralized control and decentralized execution have recently come under fire due to emerging transformational concepts such as Network-Centric Warfare (NCW) and Effects- Based Operations (EBO). This paper examines the history of the concept of centralized control/decentralized execution from the advent of modern warfare through Operation Enduring Freedom. Current doctrinal definitions are discussed with an emphasis on the differences between Air Force doctrine and joint doctrine. The study highlights the result of poorly articulated doctrinal definitions, and demonstrates that service and joint doctrine as currently written make the concept of centralized control and decentralized execution logically impossible. Service and joint doctrine should change. Even in the face of emerging joint operations concepts, centralized control and decentralized execution remains a valid tenet for the organization and employment of air power.
Keywords	Military doctrine Command and control systems Joint military activities Conflict Air power Air force operations Military history Centralized Transformations Decentralization Afghanistan Serbia Air control centers First world war Korean war Persian gulf war Second world war Vietnam war Enduring freedom operation Air force doctrine Joint doctrine Centralized control Decentralized execution Desert storm operation Allied force operation Kosovo Ncw(Network centric warfare) Ebo(Effects based operations) Auftragstaktik Doctrinal differences Usawc strategy research project
Source Agency	Non Paid ADAS
Corporate Authors	Army War Coll., Carlisle Barracks, PA.
Document Type	Technical Report
Title Note	Research paper.
NTIS Issue Number	200521