Securing the High Ground: Dominant Combat Air Force for America. 2008 Combat Air Force Strategic Plan

'Securing the High Ground: Dominant Combat Air Force for America' is our strategy for the 21st century. It defines why we exist and focuses our effort and resources to meet the Nation's security and military strategies. Fully nested under the United States Air Force's Strategic Plan, this strategy outlines the Combat Air Force (CAF) critical contributions to protecting democracy and guarding freedom. This plan is a broad conceptual document backed by detailed supporting concepts and plans designed to enable the CAF to adapt and overcome the challenges created by a rapidly changing security environment. The strategy builds upon the CAF's foundation and heritage as the world's dominant combat air force. CAF leadership in innovation and integration, combined with the asymmetric advantage its forces provide to our Nation, ensures success for the joint force. From the ultimate backstop of our Nation's defense - nuclear deterrence - to the ongoing conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, the long war on terror and across the full spectrum of conflict - the CAF defends our Nation now and in the future. The 21st-century CAF is an innovative, organizational construct that will develop, plan and employ integrated, coercive combat capabilities - from air, space and cyberspace - to create war-winning effects for our Nation. 'Securing the High Ground' provides the CAF its mission and vision while focusing the development, sustainment and execution of the preeminent combat airpower of America's joint force. It provides guidance to all CAF Airmen, from those just entering service to those in the upper levels of command, from active duty, reservists and guardsmen, to our dedicated civilian workforce. The strategy, priorities and objectives described herein set the stage for follow-on development of a more detailed collection of operational concepts and planning documents that will integrate all CAF capabilities and ensure the realization of our vision.
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