Death, taxes, and disasters: AFSOF’s utility in disaster response

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Authors
Muscato, Shane P.
Sullivan, Joey P.
Subjects
humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
Air Force special operations forces
special operations forces
rapid-onset natural disaster
organic command and control
speed
unique mission sets
interoperability
MC-130
Advisors
Gregg, Heather S.
Date of Issue
2015-12
Date
Dec-15
Publisher
Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
TheUnited States has participated in overseas humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts since its inception. Today, the principal government agent responsible for HADR responses is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which works closely with the U.S. Department of Defense, including Marine, Navy, Air Force, and special operations forces to provide logistical support. Air Force special operations forces (AFSOF) are an especially useful HADR asset, given their speed, organic command and control, and unique mission sets. Despite this, AFSOF is often overlooked as a rapid responder in HADR operations. This thesis investigates the use of AFSOF as a rapid responder through two case studies: the 2004 HADR operation following the earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia and the HADR operation following the 2013 super typhoon in the central Philippines. In both cases, AFSOF provided critical support in the hours and days after these disasters, and helped pave the way for more sustained efforts undertaken by other U.S. and international responders over time. To improve AFSOF’s capabilities as a HADR force, this thesis recommends creating one set of HADR definitions for the U.S. government, improving AFSOF’s and USAID’s relationship, and implementing an AFSOF Disaster Response Concept of Operations.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Defense Analysis (DA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.
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