Air University reorganization yields new AF research group Published June 23, 2007 By Christine Harrison Air University Public Affairs MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFPN) -- Air University is creating a new, independent research institute that will supplement AU idea-generating capacity and support air and space research inquiries from the chief of staff, as well as other top-level decision makers. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley emphasized in a recent press release the commitment of the Air Force to generating a greater capacity for research and independent analysis. The research institute will dovetail with the Air Staff's re-tooled Checkmate (a strategic studies group), and its mission will be to focus on research and write about how the Air Force contributes toward and enhances America's national security. In an article published in the current issue of Air and Space Power Journal, Lt. Gen. Stephen Lorenz, Air University commander, captured this vision. "Our best hope for succeeding in this struggle [the Long War] lies in developing a system that institutionalizes innovation," he wrote. The Air University Research Institute will be a key idea-generating innovation and will enhance an important pillar of Air University, developing research and ideas that supplement AU competencies in education, doctrine and outreach, said Col. Michael Davis, director of the Airpower Research Institute in the College of Aerospace Doctrine, Research and Education. The proposed restructuring of the AU hierarchy will yield money and manpower for the research organization, called the Air University Research Institute--which will function under the supervision of the Vice Commander of Air University Maj. Gen. Allen Peck. The research institute will mirror the Army's Strategic Studies Institute and the Navy's Center for Naval Warfare Studies, said Colonel Davis. CADRE is slated to merge with the Air Force Doctrine Center located here; creating the Air Force Doctrine Development and Education Center, but that organization will not be the parent group of the Research Institute. "General Lorenz decided to break out AURI as an independent research institute that reports directly to the vice commander," Colonel Davis said. He said the research institute will be the integrating organization for all of the academic journals that come out of Air University, as well as direct the Air University research-related board and balanced scorecard processes. The restructuring plan also calls for Air University Press to be incorporated into the research institute--a move that includes 28 of the anticipated 80 total positions comprising the new institute. The bulk of the AURI's new positions will be held by researchers. Currently CADRE's Airpower Research Institute employs only four researchers; a number that will grow times five once the research institute is formalized and fully staffed. In the past year, the Airpower Research Institute researchers developed five research articles, four "quick-look" studies, mentored 35 Air Force Fellows' projects, helped develop, conduct, and follow up on the Air University Counterinsurgency Symposium in April, and worked with external scholars to generate two books that were edited and published in collaboration with Air University Press--one of these books (Military Airpower: A Revised Digest of Airpower Opinions and Thoughts) was developed and updated as a direct request of General Moseley. But as research billets are filled, the output of 16 more professional researchers should more than triple the output of current ARI researchers, Colonel Davis said. He also said the AURI will be headed by a civilian executive director, preferably a retired senior officer or civilian with a background in academics. "Ideally, the person who fills this position will be involved in networking and will bring in new ideas to generate timely and relevant research projects," he said. The AURI will also contain an outreach division, responsible for coordinating events like conferences and publication releases. Colonel Davis said he anticipates the institute will host at least one conference during its initial year, and will add one event each year after that to reach a goal of six to 10 conferences per year. Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page