Doctrine, real-world operations focus on message to students Published July 2, 2009 By Carl Bergquist Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- The current combined force air component commander visited Maxwell June 26 and spoke with students of the CFACC course at the LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education. Lt. Gen. Gary North said his key message was how the CFACC operates in real-world operations, including doctrinal function. "The CFACC course has two parts with the first part being doctrine, and the second part bringing in subject matter experts from the field to provide real-world examples," he said. "I'm a graduate of the CFACC course, and during my three and a half years in the position of CFACC, I've been able to tell these students stories about what has changed and what will continue to change. I'm really happy senior leaders from all services, and some international senior leaders, are being put through this course." General North said he feels the course is important because it trains professional and tactically-proficient people as they advance in their careers. He said the military is looking at specific officers for leadership, and this course, "puts one more arrow in their hit bag." The general said the unified commander has component commanders under him who serve as air, land and maritime commanders. The CFACC is designated by the unified commander to command and control the airspace above the area of responsibility. "Air operations in the AOR are, one, vibrant, and two, very complicated by nature of the breadth and depth required to control the airspace over Iraq and Afghanistan," he said. "The CFACC must be able to have intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, or ISR missions, combat missions and commercial flights integrated into a three-dimensional domain to deliver all facets of the fight and meet the requirements of multiple commanders." General North said what makes this happen is the "most advanced command and control facility in history" known as the Combined Air Operations Center, or CAOC. Collectively, various armed services provide exceptional military members for the purpose of command and control. "The size of the facility [CAOC] allows the execution of up to 2,000 sorties a day, and in a modular fashion if needed," he said. "And, the strikes are the most precise any nation or Airman has ever seen in the history of mankind. Advancements in ISR and rules of engagement enable us to be incredibly precise." General North said dealing with an enemy in Afghanistan who doesn't play by the rules, and often uses non-combatants as shields, occasionally results in civilian casualties. "In executing their form of warfare against the coalition and the Afghan people, the enemy often drags non-combatants into the field of fire and casualties are suffered," he said. "Our goal is to be as precise as we can, and often we don't achieve a target because of the presence of non-combatants. But when we make a mistake, it is investigated. Every non-combatant injury or death is evaluated and that helps us decide how better to conduct warfare." The general said the collective abilities of air, space and cyberspace personnel, along with other members of the Air Force, sister services and coalition, bring an important part to the fight. He said from a convoy truck driver to a defender on watch; a U-2 pilot at 70,000 feet to the operator of a Predator at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.; a doctor or medic to a B-1 Bomber pilot or fighter crew, all Airmen are important. "They [Airmen] bring that key enabling domain to the fight and allow forces on the ground to operate under a persistent swath of intelligence; persistent Airmen overhead to answer the calls and needs below; and consistent and professional personnel to move people and materials across the battlefield," General North said. "Our Airmen not only enable the fight but are a key part of the fight," he said. "I couldn't be prouder of the Airmen of all nations in securing success on the battlefield."