Space Capabilities and Functional Organizations

Space capabilities amply demonstrated their utility in Desert Storm. Despite significant contributions to operations, however, the Air Force recognized it could do a better job of integrating space in support of the regional combatant commander. The Air Force had been aware of the need for better support to regional combatant commanders well before Desert Storm, but the positive exposure of that conflict provided the impetus for change. One of the initiatives following desert Storm was to assign space personnel to the combatant commands, specifically to the Air Operations Centers (AOCs), to provide requisite expertise and fuller integration of space support. There was very little guidance beyond that, however. Nonetheless, space personnel became actively engaged in the AOCs and contributed to the many operations since - to include Allied Force, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. Much practical guidance can be discerned from their experiences.