Control of Mobility Air Forces

Our military enjoys the status of the world's premier fighting force, due,in no small part, to what Air Force mobility provides: global force projection and force multiplication. The Air Force must manage its mobility assets in a manner appropriate to their importance. Doctrinally, the Director of Mobility Forces (DM4) is the manager of those assets during contingencies. Consequently, it is critical that we get it right. Should the DM4 command, and if so what should he command? This study compares doctrine's answer to the question with how airlift and air refueling were managed before the DM4. It then evaluates the performance of the DM4 in Operation ALLIED FORCE and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and compares that with doctrine. The evidence suggests that command of mobility forces is not necessarily needed, although in some instances may help the DM4 manage the mobility effort. In general, the benefits of treating air refueling and airlift as one entity may outweigh the incentives of separating them. Doctrinal adjustments, which would improve the flexibility of the DM4, also seem warranted.