Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-34, Engineer Operations
FOREWORD
Doctrine embodies the fundamental principles by which military forces guide their
actions in support of national objectives. It is a body of carefully developed, authoritative
ideas that have been officially approved or ratified corporately, establishing a common
frame of reference for solving military problems. However, to be an effective guide, the
challenge for doctrine is to be simultaneously focused on the past, applicable in the
present, and facing toward the future; all in equal measure.
The US Air Force must anticipate a new reality; one in which decision advantage,
freedom of maneuver, and freedom of action are increasingly challenged. To deter,
compete, and win across the competition continuum, Airmen must advance solutions
that enable operations in highly contested environments. Broadly, the joint force’s
approach to meet this challenge is encapsulated in joint all-domain operations (JADO).
Together with joint all-domain command and control (JADC2), JADO provides joint force
commanders (JFC) the means to integrate, synchronize, and deconflict the
convergence of effects across all domains to achieve operational advantage.
AFDP-1, The Air Force, supports this effort by establishing mission command as the
Airman’s philosophy for the command and control (C2) of airpower. Despite our
advances, adversaries will likely retain an ability to deny or degrade our
communications. Decision makers at all echelons must have the ability to develop
understanding, make decisions, and converge effects when disconnected from higher
echelons. Mission command embraces centralized command, distributed control, and
decentralized execution as the foundation for the responsiveness, flexibility, and
initiative necessary at the tactical edge, and ensures capabilities continue to function,
even when information is degraded or denied.
AFDP 3-34, Engineer Operations, though firmly rooted in the past, also looks to the
future, adapting where needed to ensure continued utility and efficacy for the challenges
to come. Properly planned and executed, engineer operations are a crucial element of
combat support to enable achievement of joint force commander objectives in
cooperation, competition, and conflict. What worked in the past, WILL work in the future;
but NOT in the same way. Airmen must be trained to plan operations in a distributed or
decentralized manner, and execute the mission when isolated from higher echelons in
distributed environments. Airmen at all levels must be comfortable making decisions
and operating based on the commander’s intent and the principles of mission
command.
Though not fully adapted to the challenges identified above, this doctrine represents
what we believe to be true based on the evidence to date. As we continue to press
toward a more capable future force, it is critical that we continue to evolve our doctrine,
ensuring a grounded foundation perpetually set to meet our nations’ security
challenges. Throughout our history, innovative Airmen have adapted technologies and
developed methods of employment to meet the challenges our nation has faced. We will
continue to do so.