Mission Command
Basics
Basics
This term refers to the philosophy of leadership empowering Airmen to operate in uncertain environments.
Mission Command
The term used to describe orders focusing on the purpose of the operation rather than detailed execution.
Mission-Type Orders
The type of initiative that is informed by shared understanding and is proactive in nature, essential for mission command.
Disciplined Initiative
This operational concept within the USAF increases survivability and combat power generation under threat.
Agile Combat Employment (ACE)
The fundamental characteristic of operations guided by mission command, crucial for airpower's effectiveness.
Decentralized Execution
The distinctive method by which the USAF executes mission command, involving three key elements:
Centralized Command, Distributed Control, and Decentralized Execution.
A key enabler in Agile Combat Employment, identified in AFDN 1-21, that supports operations in contested environments.
Multi-Capable Airmen
The USAF core values form the foundation of this essential attribute for mission command culture.
Integrity
This term refers to the ACE strategy of preparing Airmen to operate in a contested environment.
Operational Flexibility
The type of risk assessment crucial for balancing mission accomplishment with force protection.
Prudent Risk
This historical figure's approach to command, focusing on overarching intent without restricting subordinates to a single approach, influenced the development of mission command.
General Billy Mitchell
The type of organizational culture required for successful mission command in the USAF.
Trust-Based Culture?
In mission command, this concept refers to the authority a commander exercises over subordinates.
Command Authority
This advanced ACE strategy involves dynamic reassignment of missions and resources to exploit operational opportunities.
Dynamic Force Employment
This term describes the empowerment of subordinates to act according to mission command principles.
Empowerment
These key components of mission command ensure flexibility and responsiveness in the USAF.
Adaptability and Flexibility
This concept, contrary to mission command, typified USAF operations in recent decades but is shifting due to new operational environments.
Detailed Control
This process is critical for mission command, involving planning, coordinating, executing, and assessing operations.
The Operations Process
This ACE principle focuses on the integration and interoperability of U.S. and allied forces.
Joint and Coalition Integration
The principle of mission command that emphasizes the need for commanders and subordinates to have a clear and mutual understanding.
Gaining Shared Understanding
This principle of mission command involves taking calculated risks to achieve mission objectives.
Prudent Risk
This principle of mission command is about building effective teams through shared confidence and reliability.
Mutual Trust?
The approach taken by General George C. Kenney in WWII, illustrating an early application of mission command principles.
The Kenney Method
This ACE element focuses on the distribution system transformation to maximize mission effectiveness
Sustainment in ACE
This advanced concept involves the integration of operations across multiple domains and services to achieve greater operational agility and effectiveness
Multi-Domain Operations (MDO)