This study is a gap analysis comparing current Joint Force Air Base Opening (ABO) capabilities with those assessed as necessary for effective ABO operations in an Anti-Access/Area-Denial environment. The research focuses on gaps in current doctrine, command relationships, command and control, force structure of ABO forces, posture, training for ABO forces, and acquisition for ABO capabilities. The author does not delve into specific solutions for each of the assessed gaps. The focus is on identifying conceptual challenges and methodologies to address them as well as describing areas for further research. Overall the assessment is that the current construct for Joint Force ABO is too unwieldy and insufficiently agile to perform inside of an A2/AD adversarys Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) Loop. However, improvements to doctrine, command relationships, command and control, force structure, posture, training, and acquisition will make the joint force better able to project airpower into the A2/AD threat environment.
