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• The USAF's JTF HQ mission scope is not well defined.
• The plurality of USAF Joint Task Forces (JTFs) between 1990 and 2017 involved humanitarian relief/noncombatant evacuation operations missions, which often require JTF HQs and draw on USAF strengths.
• Units selected to serve as a JTF core are most often aligned with a combatant command.
• Joint integration and collaboration are critical to JTF HQ success.
• There is tension between the USAF's JTF HQ construct and its emerging force presentation model.
• The USAF contributes to the joint command and control (C2) at the component level and is attempting to play a larger role.
• USAF resourcing decisions constrain the JTF HQ initiative.

In 2016 Gen David Goldfein, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, called on the 9th Air Force (9 AF) to develop the capability to serve as a Joint Task Force Headquarters (JTF HQ), with the expectation that other numbered air forces would eventually develop similar capability. In August 2020, the 9 AF and 12th Air Force direct-reporting units and wings were integrated to form the 15th Air Force (15 AF), which now continues to carry out the mandate to develop a JTF HQ capability.

In this report, the authors examine the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) efforts to develop a joint task force capability that maximizes airpower's contribution to joint warfighting—one that has the organization, training, and equipment required to effectively carry out a JTF HQ mission when called on to do so.

The authors conducted literature reviews, engaged in discussions with subject-matter experts, attended staff exercises, and generated case studies of operations. They also examined a data set of 88 JTF HQs activated between 1990 and 2017 to gain insight into the causes and conditions that typically result in JTF HQ formation and to understand the factors that shape JTF HQ mission sets, selection processes, and their duration.

The authors' findings and recommendations reflect research conducted prior to 9 AF's integration into the new 15 AF, but they remain relevant to 15 AF personnel and others interested in understanding the challenges and opportunities associated with USAF efforts to stand up a JTF HQ.

• Chapter One

  Introduction

• Chapter Two

  Historical Background and Context for the USAF's Efforts to Increase Its Role in JTF HQ Formation

• Chapter Three

  The 9th Air Force's Efforts to Organize, Train, and Equip to Provide a JTF HQ Capability

• Chapter Four

  Requirements for Joint Task Force Leadership: What It Means to Lead at the Operational Level of War

• Chapter Five

  JTF HQ Selection and Formation: Current Practice and Joint Doctrine

• Chapter Six

  JTF HQ Selection and Formation: An Empirical Analysis of Key Trends from 1990 to 2017

• Chapter Seven

  Historical Case Studies: Implications of Recent JTF HQ Formation and Selection Processes for 9 AF

• Chapter Eight

  Findings and Recommendations

• Appendix A

  Data Set Sources

• Appendix B

  List of Joint Task Forces Activated from 1990 to 2017

• Appendix C

  Understanding the Operational Level of War

• Appendix D

  Case Study Details