This report is intended to help guide discussion of the utility of Air National Guard remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) in domestic missions, and it explores the policy and operational constraints that Air National Guard RPAs face.

"Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems have proven critical to the combatant commanders to plan and execute military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by providing them timely and accurate information on adversaries’ capabilities and vulnerabilities. The continued success of ISR systems in providing commanders at all levels dynamic intelligence for dynamic conflicts has fueled growing demand for more ISR support. Additionally, this operational demand had far outpaced published guidance for ISR manning and organization, leaving critical gaps in organizational development and inhibiting fusion of capabilities. This research answered the question: “How will a combined weapons and tactics shop facilitate integration of remotely piloted aircraft, distributed common ground system, and targeting missions? The problem/solution framework with the input from an ISR focus group was used to analyze current published guidance for manpower and organization of ISR and each mission’s unique structure. Additionally, the weapons and tactics program was examined as a method of integration. The research and the valuable input from the focus group determined that although a combined weapons and tactics shop would provide a means of integration, analysis revealed that communications (systems) and training would prove to be better choice to initiate integration of unique ISR systems and operations."--Abstract.

VANGUARD is the Air National Guard (ANG) long-range transformation program. It calls for the ANG to evaluate new concepts, prepare for new missions, and adopt a new culture that capitalizes on ANG strengths and ensures that the ANG continues to add value as warfighters and to warfighters in the future while remaining ready, reliable and accessible. One way to support warfighting and warfighters is to continue to support the Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF), a concept developed by the Air Force to allow quick response, when appropriate, to national security interests with a tailored, sustainable force. The ANG already plays an important role in the AEF during wartime operations. This monograph evaluates options for Air National Guard combat support and reachback missions in four Air Force mission areas to support the AEF, investigates transformational opportunities for the ANG that would add the most value in achieving the desired operational effects, and considers how changes in unit and above-unit policies are likely to affect Total Force capabilities. It should be of interest to logisticians, operators, and mobility planners throughout the Department of Defense, especially those in the Air National Guard and active Air Force.