Author Description

While the new Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept is a bold step in reducing the operations tempo of Air Force personnel, the change in the way forces are rotated into deployed locations creates a continuity gap for those who perform the force protection mission. Before the AEF concept was instituted, small teams of new arrivals were continually integrated into the established security force which ensured at any given time the majority of the force had a month or more of experience working at the deployed location. This afforded the luxury of relying on those with experience to help get new people up to speed on the terrain, local procedures, and emergency actions. Under the AEF, this gradual ability to familiarize people with the location does not exist because of the nearly complete changeover of personnel every 90 days with only a few days overlap with the departing forces.