Answers
Discuss the purpose of Air Force engineers - ANSWERSThe purpose of Air Force Civil
engineers is to support the projection of airpower by establishing, operating, sustaining,
and protecting airbases
Identify the key factor in the success of the Aviation Engineers in WWII - ANSWERSThe
capability to meet COMAFFOR requirements with centralization of command
Describe the limitations & lessons learned from the SCARWAF program -
ANSWERSLimitations include old equipment, poor training, less capable troops
The SCARWAF program demonstrated that the Air Force had a vital need for engineer
aviation forces that were specialists in the art of building airfields, not combat or
construction engineers.
Describe the rationale behind the creation of Prime BEEF and RED HORSE -
ANSWERSPrior to the creation of Prime BEEF, there was no appreciable rapid mobile
response capability for contingencies/emergencies and there was no consistency in the
civilian/military mix across installations/commands. RED HORSE was created from the
need to accomplish major repairs and construction where contracts weren't readily
available and for expeditionary airfields/cantonment facilities to be constructed.
Describe how the Salty Demo exercise impacted Civil Engineer organization -
ANSWERSEven though the exercise was a failure, it highlighted the challenges and our
inability to execute Bratt, and the things we thought we could do. It also highlighted how
important civil engineers in base recovery and what they bring to the fight. Two key
lessons learned were the validation of the new rapid runway repair technique, Folded
Fiberglass Mat (FFM), and that EOD should be part of the initial assessment team to be
able to clear the munitions. That last one, was what ultimately led to join EOD and DP to
CE. An idea that all the flights that need to do recovery, base recovery functions, need
to be under a single squadron commander.
Recognize how lessons learned from WWII shaped CE organization during OEF -
ANSWERSAviation Engineer Regiments in WWII:
Resourced well with
personnel/equipment/training
Dedicated support to the Army Air Forces
"Indispensable to the Army Air Force"
Lessons Learned:
Air Force needed its own Engineers that
understand Air Power
, Air Bases are crucial to the fight
Describe what doctrine is and how it is developed - ANSWERSThe fundamental
principles by which military forces guide their actions in support of national objectives. It
is authoritative but requires judgment in application
Historically proven best practices guided by experience
A guide to action that recommends, but does not mandate
Explain foundational principles that guide current AF CE doctrine - ANSWERSThe
"airbase" is the Air Force's power projection platform
Airmen engineers open, establish, operate, sustain, protect, recover and
close operating locations
Performs General Engineering functional capabilities
"Bare bases" are the most intense situation and govern our operational capability
Airmen engineers prepare for war during peacetime, train as organic
units, and deploy fully capable of rapidly establishing airbases
Organize our war fighting capabilities for COMAFFOR in Prime BEEF
and RED HORSE units—the same organizations we use in garrison
Describe the three functions engineering capabilities fall under - ANSWERSGeneral
Rapidly responding to establish, sustain and recover air bases
Combat
Close support to the maneuver of land combat forces
Geospatial
Provide info and services to enhance effective use of the operational environment
Identify the "above-wing level" CE organizations - ANSWERSHeadquarters Air Force
(HAF)
MAJCOM/A4C
NAF Engineer
AFIMSC (Installation and Mission Support Center)
AFCEC (Civil Engineer Center)
Describe the roles and structure of each "above-wing level" CE staff organization -
ANSWERSHeadquarter AF
Development of strategy, policy and guidance
Program oversight
Career field management
Congressional engagement
Resource Advocacy
Majcom/A4C
Mission requirements identification and prioritization
NAF Engineer
Operational advisor to the Commander