Air Mobility Future: Evolving Command and Control Relationships in the Information Age Ian M
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Air Force Institute of Technology AFIT Scholar Theses and Dissertations Student Graduate Works 6-2016 Air Mobility Future: Evolving Command and Control Relationships in the Information Age Ian M. Slazinik Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.afit.edu/etd Part of the Management and Operations Commons Recommended Citation Slazinik, Ian M., "Air Mobility Future: Evolving Command and Control Relationships in the Information Age" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 284. https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/284 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Graduate Works at AFIT Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of AFIT Scholar. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AIR MOBILITY FUTURE: EVOLVING COMMAND AND CONTROL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE INFORMATION AGE GRADUATE RESEARCH PAPER Ian M. Slazinik, Major, USAF AFIT-ENS-MS-16-J-032 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY AIR FORCE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED The views expressed in this thesis are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the United States Air Force, Department of Defense, or the United States Government AFIT-ENS-MS-16-J-032 AIR MOBILITY FUTURE: EVOLVING COMMAND AND CONTROL RELATIONSHIPS IN THE INFORMATION AGE GRADUATE RESEARCH PAPER Presented to the Faculty Department of Operational Sciences Graduate School of Engineering and Management Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air Education and Training Command In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Logistics Ian M. Slazinik, MBA Major, USAF June, 2016 DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE; DISTRIBUTION UNLIMITED AFIT-ENS-MS-16-J-032 Abstract This research paper analyzes information flow through theater Air Mobility Command and Control (C2) organizations. The purpose is to uncover guidelines going forward to adapt organizational structure and processes to increase the speed and reach of information. These guidelines could assist with improving organizational agility and decision making while adapting to future trends in the broader C2 enterprise. To collect data, the researcher conducted interviews with seventeen C2 experts with experience at various levels of C2, from worldwide to theater Air Mobility C2 organizations, from Air Mobility C2 leadership, to experts in non-mobility C2 divisions. Interview subjects shared their perceptions and insights over a 30-45 minute interview. As a result of the research and the inputs of the interview subjects, this paper consolidates views and puts forth multiple recommendations for the future organizational structure of theater Air Mobility C2 organizations. iv AFIT-ENS-MS-16-J-032 To my beautiful girls, thank you for your unceasing support through countless hours of writing, editing, and loud early morning phone interviews. v Acknowledgments I would like to express my sincere gratitude to several key supporters in the collection and compilation of this research. Thank you to Brigadier General Brian “Smokey” Robinson for providing the mentorship and senior leader insight on the direction of Air Mobility C2. Thank you to Major Ben Hazen for your exceptional and extremely quick feedback and for keeping me focused and on schedule. You are a research machine and an incredible instructor! I would also like to thank the anonymous C2 professionals who took the time from their incredibly busy schedules to share their vision and insights on the current realities and the future of C2. I hope that this paper is representative of your outstanding contributions on this subject. Finally, I would like to thank Ms. Pamela Bennett Bardot. You always exceeded our expectations, from tracking down academic journals to finding the last copy of a Harry Potter book in Burlington County for my eight year-old daughter, we are forever grateful for your tireless work in support of ASAM 16. Ian M. Slazinik vi Table of Contents Page Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. vi Table of Contents .............................................................................................................. vii List of Figures .................................................................................................................... ix I. Introduction…………………………………………………………………………….1 Background .....................................................................................................................1 On the Future ..................................................................................................................3 Research Problem Statement ..........................................................................................4 Research Questions .........................................................................................................4 Assumptions/Limitations ................................................................................................5 Implications .....................................................................................................................6 II. Literature Review ...........................................................................................................7 Regulatory Guidance .......................................................................................................7 History of C2 ...................................................................................................................9 Where Are We Headed?................................................................................................16 Organizational Information Process Theory .................................................................18 III. Methodology ...............................................................................................................30 Discussion and Selection of Research Methods............................................................30 Sample ...........................................................................................................................33 C2 Organization Members outside the AMD ......................................................... 33 Organization Members ............................................................................................ 33 Leadership ............................................................................................................... 34 Interview Procedures .....................................................................................................34 Description of Interview ...............................................................................................35 IV. Analysis and Results ...................................................................................................36 Chapter Overview .........................................................................................................36 Analyzing the Data ........................................................................................................36 Subjects related specifically to OIPT and Position Location .................................. 37 Consistent Themes from Research Subjects .................................................................40 Review of the Research Data ........................................................................................42 AMD Perspective ..........................................................................................................43 Perspective from Other Divisions .................................................................................48 Leadership Perspective..................................................................................................50 vii Research Results with Respect to OIPT Models...........................................................56 Importance of the Data and Results to the Field of Air Mobility Command and Control ......................................................................................................................61 V. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................64 Overarching Research Question ....................................................................................64 Summary of Research Conclusions ..............................................................................64 Recommendations for Air Mobility Command and Control ........................................68 Future Research Considerations ....................................................................................72 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................73 Glossary ........................................................................................................................77 Appendix A ........................................................................................................................78 Appendix B ........................................................................................................................79 Appendix C ........................................................................................................................83 Appendix D………………………………………………………………………………84