Air Force technicians have developed a planning process for intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance capability that service officials say will give decision-makers a one-stop shop to determine ISR strategy, tasks, shortfalls, and solutions. They say it represents the first time that a consolidated process and corporate governance structure has been established to improve ISR capabilities in the air, space, ground, and cyberspace domains. The new planning process is based on an interactive database called the ISR capabilities and requirements tool. With it, analysts will have the unique ability to develop and analyze multiple ISR capability portfolios out 20 years in the future. Lt. Gen. David Deptula, head of ISR on the Air Staff, briefed Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz about the new tool on April 6. Deptula said the planning process is “a living, breathing database developed in partnership with and fully transparent to all of the major commands and combatant commands.” Following the briefing, Donley said it will be “a useful tool” to help ensure that ISR is prioritized and right-sized. He also said this model may have application for all of the Air Force’s core functions. (SAF/PA report by TSgt. Amaani Lyle)
The Islamic State’s Khorasan branch, responsible for the suicide bombing that killed 13 U.S. service members during the evacuation from Kabul, could develop the capacity to strike outside Afghanistan within “six to 12 months,” Undersecretary of Defense for policy Colin Kahl warned. Testifying to the Senate Armed Services Committee on…