Page 34 - Williams Foundation Integrated Force Design Seminar

Designing the Integrated Force: How to Define and Meet the Challenge?

In his remarks to the Williams Foundation seminar on force integration, he underscored the importance of
generating key thrusts within force development that allow movement in the right direction.

In my interview with him, he underscored that one of the problems is clearly ensuring platforms stay on track,
such as the F-35 transition effort, which is under his office’s responsibility. His office also has responsibility for
the missile defense program discussed at Williams.

He highlighted that the challenge of generating a future direction comes into conflict with program
management.

“The biggest danger, is that as things crop up, and one particular project has a crisis, a financial crisis or
something that jeopardizes what government has approved you to achieve, then you get focused in on solving
that problem at the expense of thinking more broadly about our strategic direction.”

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At the heart of it he saw the approach that needs to be put in place is a community of 21 century operators
who have a shared perspective on shaping joint effects as the strategic direction. Effective joint force design
is essential, but it won’t deliver an effective joint force in the absence of greater collaboration in the
operational community.

He saw the Air Warfare Centre and its service counterparts as a key locus where shaping such a community of
thinking and interest in shaping a way ahead for building a joint force.

Second Line of Defense

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