Commander's Comments

When I arrived at AIA one year ago, I came with a mission…to tell the rest of the Air Force about AIA’s mission, capabilities, products, services and plans for the future, as well as educate our Air Force on IO doctrine.

I believe this was necessary then, and to a certain degree now, to ensure that operational commanders
around the Air Force better understand what AIA already provides them and what we will be able to provide as we further embed our Information Operations expertise into the NAFs and major commands. Over the past 12 months I’ve visited nearly every MAJCOM and briefed their leadership. I want to share with you some of the highlights of what I’ve been telling them.

First and foremost, while we have only really begun to recognize the scope of Information Operations in recent years, it is not new. Even as far back as the Roman Empire, classic IO was being conducted. Gain, Exploit, Attack and Defend were all key elements in getting the right information to the right person in time to have the desired effect. Today we simply do that faster and with different tools. And because of the continuous evolution in technology, this pace will only accelerate. Our challenge, of course, is to both optimize on our ever-improving tools, while minimizing our vulnerability.

IO doctrine is still evolving. Currently, there are differences between Joint doctrine and Air Force doctrine centering on the Gain and Exploit elements of IO. Joint doctrine does not include these elements, primarily because the joint community does not “own ISR” as a function. Our AF doctrine does include these critical elements because we believe it is impossible to effectively attack and defend without first gaining and exploiting.

There are still people who think IO is only about computers. Our doctrinal IO definition says nothing about Computer Network Attack or Computer Network Defend. Instead we prefer to talk about offensive and defensive counter information, not unlike offensive and defensive counter air. We need to continue educating people on this perspective so we can fully exploit all of our capabilities and integrate them in ways that are understandable and usable to commanders in the field. Leading this effort is 39th Intelligence Squadron through the IO “Schoolhouse” at Hurlburt Field, Fla. The 39th IS is and will continue to be a critical element in IO because it is the means by which IO concepts will develop into practical and meaningful applications.

AIA will continue to integrate IO expertise into the combat NAFs. Embedding technical expertise optimizes what AIA brings to the fight, by positioning it where it is needed most, at the pointy end of the spear. The 67th Intelligence Wing is the catalyst for doing this, through the placement of its personnel and resources with the NAFs and MAJCOMs.

There is a lot of growth taking place in the various “INTs.” The more traditional roles of signals intelligence are improving through enhancements of the RSOCs and modernization of the Rivet Joint Fleet. Of course we continue to struggle with the ever-increasing need for qualified airborne linguists, particularly in the high demand/low-density language arena. Our senior most AF leaders are aware of this and other manpower related needs across the AF, so perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Demand for imagery production support is also increasing, along with the employment of precision guided munitions. We are exploring various options to alleviate that demand, such as greater use of commercial imagery for wide area coverage. In the long run this could be very cost-effective, while at the same time allowing us to produce more scene visualization products.

Air Force human intelligence is making a comeback. The establishment of the tactical interrogation program is an example of this. However, you don’t need interrogators all the time. So, we are looking seriously at increasing Reserve involvement in meeting this requirement, as well as in the IO Flight embedding process. In the future we may also need to consider ways of filling other AF-specific intelligence gaps, not already being addressed by Defense HUMINT Service.

Offensive and defensive computer network operations are still developing. We are working hard to understand how to protect our networks, and how to engage those of our adversaries. Currently, the approval and planning cycle for some of the IO tools is too cumbersome. We need to figure out how to work within the policy limitations if we are going to be effective in using our IW tools

An integrated, virtual battlefield picture IS within our scope….REALLY. Would you not, as a commander of an air operation, like to know which sensors are available to you at a given time? You’d also want to look at a live feed with all the various information so you would know what was terrain masked from JSTARS, AWACS, a UAV or a U-2. The software and technology exist to produce a comprehensive battle space picture, but we haven’t quite broken the code on how to get it done. With a responsive and timely battle management display and true situational awareness, a commander and his AOC staff are postured to make faster and more accurate decisions.

In summary, IO is not new…we just have new tools. Information technology applications are moving faster in the commercial world than they are in DOD. We simply need to appreciate that fact and not be bashful about exploring new technology. By positioning our current expertise out in the field and optimizing on the technological advances being made everyday, reach back to the full spectrum of IO is just a keystroke away. Whether directly in harms way, or supporting those who are, it is you, men and women of AIA, who put teeth into the Air Force’s commitment to Air, Space, and Information Superiority. You did this remarkably well in Kosovo, as you have done in every major contingency operation since the end of the Cold War. Our challenge is to continue to refine our TTPs (tactics, techniques & procedures), CONOPS, and educate the broader Air Force on the tremendous impact of Information Operations on the modern battlespace.

Major General John R. Baker
Commander, Air Intelligence Agency