AFCENT officials begin to look at Iraq reposture

  • Published
  • By Maj. Elizabeth Ortiz
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (AFNS) --  More than 80 Air Force, Army and Navy functional experts gathered here May 5 to 8 to lay the groundwork for U.S. Air Forces Central's reposture from Iraq over the next two years.

"The conference ensured AFCENT's reposturing and responsible drawdown is synchronized with (Central Command's) guidance and coordinated with (Multi-National Forces-Iraq) planning," said Lt. Col. David Moeller, USAFCENT chief of strategy and long-range plans at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., who led the conference. "It is important to view Air Force assets from a theater perspective and how the reposturing of forces in Iraq will affect operations theater-wide. We were able to move a giant step forward."

Overall, the conference included representatives from USAFCENT, MNF-I, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing, the Combined Joint Special Operations Air Component Task Force 34 Combat Aviation Battalion and 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary).

"The amount of work and collaboration we were able to get done in four days was amazing," said Capt. Phil Gagnon, USAFCENT co-planner for the conference.

Divided into their respective functional working groups, the subject-matter experts conducted detailed analysis in a number of mission areas: air strategy; manpower, personnel and services; base-operating support, airfield and communications; security forces; and medical.

"The working groups provided information for interchange at a higher organizational level to enable the action required to responsibly draw down," said Colonel Moeller. "We achieved our objectives at the working level."

By and large, the groups looked at the requirements, capabilities and options in specific phases -- such as the upcoming Iraqi national elections and seating of Parliament -- for the mission areas at installations throughout Iraq.

"It definitely paid dividends in terms of planning and synching," said Capt. Cassandra Antwine, USAFCENT co-planner for the conference. "This type of 'boots-on-the-ground' reality was very beneficial.  We could all look at it together, get on the same page and integrate planning."

In addition, the mission analysis revealed the logistical piece of the Air Force's reposture from Iraq is just as important as the operational piece, noted Colonel Moeller.

"There is an overarching logistical impact," he said, "especially since functions are different from base to base and are intertwined with joint forces. How do we synch functions to transfer?"

Along with the mission analysis, the planners looked at target dates and opportunities plus how to mitigate vulnerabilities, and developed an executive outbrief to prepare for the next step in the planning process.

"While the conference did not answer all our questions and raised new ones, it formed the foundation for future discussion on how to reposture from Iraq," said Lt. Col. Donald Brien, 332 AEW chief of plans and programs. "We built a lot of momentum here."

Once USAFCENT directorates validate this initial planning effort, the planning process will continue via monthly video teleconferences, a theater planning session and quarterly reposture conferences.  The next conference is scheduled for October, possibly here at Joint Base Balad again.

"The key to success in the planning effort is to make sure the 'guys on the ground' are informing the (USAFCENT) staff and vice versa. Constant review and good communication will be key," Colonel Moeller said.

As planning progresses, the objective remains the same: to responsibly draw down from Iraq based on the conditions and timeline established by CENTCOM and MNF-I.

"This is a breathing plan," noted Col. John Dolan, 332 AEW vice commander, during the conference outbrief. "We'll get more input as we go further down the road. The progress so far gives commanders something to chew on."

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