VAFC AFSOC CONOPS
Mission
AFSOC is America's
specialized air power. It provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide
deployment and assignment to regional unified commands. AFSOC's core tasks have been
grouped into four mission areas:
Forward presence and
engagement includes training, assisting and assessing foreign aviation organizations
to integrate, employ, sustain and defend their resources during internal conflict,
regional crisis or war. It also includes advising and assisting U.S. theater commanders to
determine the capabilities of forces within the area of responsibility, including the
interaction between civil and military organizations.
Information operations focuses
on the information systems, command and control systems, perceptions, and decision-making
cycles of adversaries while defending corresponding friendly elements. Information
operations span the spectrum of peace through conflict and major theater warfare and are
valued primarily for their indirect effect and ability to enhance the effectiveness of
other operations.
Precision employment and
strike includes precise and responsive support to special operations or conventional
forces. PE/S surface elements and airborne platforms provide adverse weather weapons
delivery and aerospace surface interface across the full spectrum of conflict. The ability
to deploy globally and strike precisely from the air or ground provides force
multiplication, minimizes collateral damage, allows the discriminate employment of
asymmetric force and permits freedom of maneuver for supported forces. By the year 2027,
this mission area will include nonlethal weapon systems and nondestructive attack against
an adversary and its physical infrastructure.
Special operations forces
mobility includes rapid, global airlift of personnel and equipment through hostile air
space to conduct special operations. This mission area also includes specialized refueling
operations of special operations forces assets and covert, clandestine or overt tasks.
