Introduction
Every country views its defense forces as those possessing utmost importance and responsibility since on their effectiveness, the safety and welfare of the people depend. The USA has several major forces dealing with security and state defense. However, in order to reach the highest effectiveness in the domains of preventing and managing threats, it is crucial to utilize the use of joint operations rather than assign a single department to a problem. Out of the most eminent rivals and potential adversaries, the US is cautious about China’s politics, especially that concerning Taiwan’s integrity. In the question of the China-Taiwan conflict and its threat to the US defense, it is necessary to consider a linked perspective: the command and control of the Joint Function with that of the USAF core mission.
The Importance of a Linked Perspective
Command and control is one of the core elements of both the Joint Functions and USAF core missions. Without effective and efficient command and control, it is impossible to achieve the goals set for establishing a secure defense of the country and its citizens from existing and emerging threats. As stated by Crosbie, command and control is one of the four kinetic principles building up the modern Joint Functions, the other ones including maneuver, firepower, and protection (96). The revisions made to the Joint Functions allowed including such fields as information, intelligence, civil-military cooperations, and others, which are aimed to boost the effectiveness of operations. Joint Functions have a history of resistance to accepting the hard and soft elements of the battlefield as equal ones (Crosbie 96). However, with these efforts, it became possible to broaden the specter of Joint Functions’ operations.
Meanwhile, the USAF command and control, as one of the core mission areas, is aimed at reaching the principle of unity of command. It is emphasized that to reduce confusion and gain unity of effort, it is crucial to draw clear authority lines and exercise appropriate control (“Command and Control” 4). The USAF makes it a crucial point that commanders must be clearly identified and entitled to proper operational and administrative authorities since these provide the unity and integrity of command (“Command and Control” 4). The USAF pays due attention to joint command and control as it helps to translate decisions into actions promptly, which is crucial in this dimension (“USAF Role in Joint All-Domain Operations” 2). However, it is evident that the current capabilities are not sufficient, which necessitates the combination of the USAF command and control with that of the Joint Functions.
The importance of a linked perspective when dealing with the China-Taiwan conflict’s threat to the US defense cannot be overestimated. The People’s Republic of China (PRC) is considered “the most consequential strategic competitor” to the US (Aquilino 2). Therefore, its threats, especially in the air force dimension, must be viewed from a combined perspective of both the Joint Functions and the USAF to bring about the ultimate benefit for the US.
The PRC is the Main Strategic Competitor of the US
One of the greater power challenges to the US in the contemporary geopolitical environment is the conflict between China and Taiwan. Since Taiwan resists China’s calls for reunification, the PRC has increased its incursions into the Taiwanese air defense identification zone. In particular, the number of flights increased from nearly 20 in 2019 to about 900 in 2021 (Buckley and Qin).
Should the conflict escalate, it is likely to become a flashpoint between China and the US since China’s actions toward Taiwan fall within the US Special Operation Command’s definition of the gray zone. The latter is defined as the intense political, informational, military, and economic competition that is more extreme than normal diplomacy but not yet a war. As the US has had a long-lasting interest in China in terms of commercial ties, this led to the presence of the US military forces, in particular, the Air Force, along China’s coasts at different time periods.
Despite the two states’ cooperation in many fields, the hostility remains rather tense. China is believed to be the only country that can pose a challenge to the USA in terms of political, economic, military, or technological relationships (Jacobs and Carley). Not only do researchers consider so but also the defense forces leaders.
In his 2022 statement before the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Posture, Admiral Aquilino mentioned that China pursues a “dedicated” campaign making use of all forms of power (2). According to Aquilino, this use of power is aimed at uprooting the international order based on rules so as to benefit the PCR without considering the needs or safety of all other players. As can be evidenced by the “unprovoked and unjustified attack” of Russia on Ukraine, China is likely to disregard the international rules just like Russia did (Aquilino 2). Therefore, the defense priorities, including protecting the homeland, impeding adversaries, and strengthening partnerships and alliances, must be taken into consideration both by the Joint Function and USAF.
Current Conditions
The linked Joint Function and Air Force core mission perspective should be developed to pursue the priorities set by the defense. Integrated deterrence is one of the main components of effective defense (Aquilino 2). Therefore, joint actions are required in all domains in order to gain the ultimate effect on the country’s dominant position in world politics.
Current implications of the China-Taiwan conflict and its effect on the US involve the participation of the US in protecting the integrity of Taiwan’s territory. While the relations between the USA and the PRC have declined over the past decade, those with Taiwan have improved significantly (Copper 74-75). Therefore, there is a risk that China’s air forces may utilize conventional weapons that can reach the U.S. homeland (Aquilino 4). To deter this risk, the linked perspective of the Joint Function and the USAF must be developed and utilized.
As of now, the combined efforts of the USAF and Joint Function should be focused on two major aspects: making sure that China’s intentions are timely and enriching the Air Force’s potential. Currently, China’s aviation force is the largest one in the Indo-Pacific (Aquilino 4). The larger part of its operational force has at its hand the 4th generation aircraft, with simultaneous development of the 5th generation aircraft. The offensive air capabilities of the PRC are highly increased by the improvements and modernizations that are constantly being made.
Therefore, the unity of effort and command are crucial in the effective functioning of the USAF (“Command and Control” 2). Cooperation with the Join Function will enable the USAF to avoid the reduced freedom of maneuver and increase the implementation of advanced technologies (“USAF Role in Joint All-Domain Operations” 2). A linked perspective of Joint Function and Air Force will enable the US to remain aware of threats and be able to withstand them.
Likely Implications
In case China resorts to military attempts to gain Taiwan’s territory, the USAF and Joint Function will need to change their perspective and focus on straightforward military actions. Although China claims to still prefer a “peaceful resolution” of cross-Strait differences, it has never renounced the use of force as an option (Aquilino 6). Therefore, it is necessary to combine the efforts of the Joint Function and the USAF and create an all-domain strategy of development. Not only military but also information and cyberspace technologies are highly crucial in achieving this goal (“USAF Role in Joint All-Domain Operations” 2). The USA must be ready to respond to any threat to its integrity and protect its homeland, as well as do everything possible to protect its allies.
Conclusion
The importance of defense and security in any country cannot be overestimated and should not be underestimated. The US realizes the significance of these issues, so it has several Joint Functions and Core Missions in place. Each of these functions separately, but when facing a major threat, a combination of perspectives is needed. In the case of the China-Taiwan conflict and the probability of the USA’s being involved in it, it is viable to join the efforts of the Joint Function and USAF in the command-and-control perspective. Doing so will not only strengthen the current positions and possibilities but will also allow for ensuring the effective protection of the US homeland and people in the future.
Works Cited
Aquilino, John C. “Statement Before the Senate Armed Services Committee on U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Posture.” United States Senate Committee on Armed Forces, 2022. Web.
Buckley, Chris, and Amy Qin. “In a Surge of Military Flights, China Tests and Warns Taiwan.” The New York Times. 2021. Web.
“Command and Control.” Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, 2020. Web.
Copper, John F. “Accounting for the Recent Uptick in USA-Taiwan Relations.” East Asian Policy, vol. 11, no. 4, 2019, pp. 74–87.
Crosbie, Thomas. “Getting the Joint Functions Right.” Joint Doctrine, 2019, pp. 96-100.
Jacobs, Charity S., and Kathleen M. Carley. “Taiwan: China’s Gray Zone Doctrine in Action.” Small Wars Journal. 2022. Web.
“USAF Role in Joint All-Domain Operations.” Curtis E. Lemay Center for Doctrine Development and Education, 2020. Web.