JOINT BASE McGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Maj. Gen. John Klein, commander of the U.S. Air Force Expeditionary Center, published a new strategy defining a roadmap for the enterprise on how and why Airmen must prepare for the ‘next big fight.’
In support of the center’s higher headquarters, with particular focus on Air Mobility Command’s recently released command strategy and the anticipated Mobility Manifesto, Klein is accelerating change by focusing efforts on organizing, training and equipping Airmen for expeditionary warfare.
“Over time, we’ve shifted our focus away from what warfare may look like with a direct competitor,” said Klein. “This new strategy is intended to realign our focus to a peer that may conduct warfare on a level similar to our own.”
The central theme throughout Klein’s guiding document is victory delivered by Airmen. As such, Klein has charged his commanders to invest now in the Airmen that deliver the flexible, strategic options our nation needs to lead from a position of strength.
The Expeditionary Center has a unique set of functions that it fulfills. We have two Air Mobility Operation Wings that allow us to project the joint force globally; the USAF’s only Contingency Response Wing that help us respond to emerging situations at a moment’s notice, as well as fortify our relationships with partners and allies through our advisors; our Joint Bases that allow us to project forces and integrate seamlessly with our sister services; and our Expeditionary Operations School which helps us train and educate the entire Air Force for expeditionary warfare.
“With the combination of these capabilities, I have no doubt we will fortify the warrior mindset within our Airmen and empower them to accomplish anything necessary to win the next big fight,” said Klein.
With the release of this strategy, Klein has initiated a one-year shot clock that will see to several key enhancements to the USAFEC, mirroring that of Air Mobility Command.
“Next-Generation tactics will be applied to our Contingency Response and Air Mobility Wings along with optimizing Joint Base structures and evolving our expeditionary training to support the joint force, Air Force Force Generation, and advance capabilities needed to win high-end peer conflict,” Klein said.
By initiating the tasks within the new USAFEC Strategy, Klein is ensuring the 14,000 Airmen within the enterprise are committed to developing and maintaining a warrior mindset that is oriented toward the pacing threat of our peer competition. With a clear vision of where the enterprise is going, along with proper organizing, training and equipping, Klein’s goal is to make sure the United States Air Force does not fail.
“With this strategy, I am empowering the men and women of the United States Air Force Expeditionary Center to take charge, engage and win in a high-end fight,” Klein said.
Read the full USAFEC Strategy here.