Airpower leaders gain strength from synergism, combining air, space, and cyber options and leveraging strategic partnerships to promote desired end states. National strategy informs airpower decisions, but airpower contingencies also reinforce or transform national strategy. Understanding their role and function within the national strategic framework, airpower leaders need to focus most on situational awareness, diplomacy and joint planning, and power projection. Situational awareness in the realm of airpower includes cybersecurity strategies and surveillance methods that enable more of a global capacity to predict and respond to threats. Global awareness also refers to the ability of airpower leaders to respond to changes in global economic and political situations. Working with cyber power including artificial intelligence and advanced processing capacities, airpower leaders can remain cognizant of changes and potential threats and respond accordingly. Space situational awareness is also emerging as a key area of concern for airpower leaders (Air Force Space Command 11). Signals intelligence, spectrum access, and the normalization of cyberspace will also be important to airpower leaders in the future (Air Force Space Command 9). Situational awareness calls upon airpower leaders to respond proactively but swiftly, using a team-based approach to solving problems.

Although they are considered “soft...

Joint planning takes into account the need to form strategic partnerships within the public and private sectors. Airpower leaders are integral to fostering national security as well as ensuring “vital activities” in the transportation, commercial, and agricultural sectors (Air Force Space Command 4). Space, air, and cyberspace programs can help with risk assessment and crisis management, offering intelligence to stakeholders. Airpower leaders need to work with leaders in the private sector to promote mutual goals. In addition to joint planning, airpower leaders also have an obligation to consider the importance of air diplomacy in reaching humanitarian goals (Shaud x). Soft powers also include communications and media relations strategies that help with aligning airpower with political expediencies.
Power projection is the cornerstone of effective airpower leadership. As American assets become increasingly vulnerable in both short term and long term, the fusion of cyber, air, and space powers becomes critical. Moreover, threats are increasingly going to be perceived at multiple levels simultaneously, as is the nature of irregular and symmetrical warfare. Both state and non-state actors continue to present clear and present dangers, requiring power projection as proactive…