Building the Eagle’s Nest: Challenges in Basing the Air Expeditionary Force by Major Patrick J. Smith a Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies for Completion of Graduation Requirements School of Advanced Airpower Studies

...................................................................................................................... vi LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.............................................................................................. ix INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................... 1 A LOOK AT THE AIR EXPEDITIONARY FORCE ........................................................ 5 Origins........................................................................................................................... 5 Composite Air Strike Force Concept of Operations ..................................................... 6 Air Expeditionary Force Concept of Operations .......................................................... 7 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 9 A THEORY FOR BASING EXPEDITIONARY AIR POWER ...................................... 12 Context........................................................................................................................ 12 Basing Expeditionary Air Power ................................................................................ 13 Basing the Air Expeditionary Force............................................................................ 19 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 21 CASE STUDY: 1958 LEBANON CRISIS....................................................................... 23 The Lebanon Crisis ..................................................................................................... 23 The Physical Challenges of Basing the CASF............................................................ 26 The Doctrinal Challenges of Basing the CASF .......................................................... 27 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 29 CASE STUDY: THE GULF WAR................................................................................... 32 The Physical Challenges of Basing During the Gulf War .......................................... 32 The Doctrinal Challenges of Basing During the Gulf War......................................... 37 Summary ..................................................................................................................... 39 CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................. 42 Implications................................................................................................................. 45