Managing Air Force Joint Expeditionary Taskings in an Uncertain Environment

Abstract : In addition to providing military support to Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan through its AEF structure, the Air Force has been providing personnel since 2004 for what are called "joint sourcing solution" assignments (formerly, ILO, or "in-lieu-of" positions) in Iraq and Afghanistan. These are situations in which the "preferred provider" (usually the Army) has insufficient available personnel to meet a certain need and another military service is required to fill it. For example, a unit of Air Force civil engineers might be used to replace an Army construction engineering unit and would be assigned to an Army organization during the deployment.