Leading and Developing Cryptologic Forces: Squadron Constructs, Tradecraft, and Command Relationships in National-Tactical ISR Operations (480 ISRW & 693 ISRG): Distributed cryptologic and intelligence operations require rapid analytical collaboration, but they are increasingly constrained by legacy administrative structures and the distinct funding pipelines of the Department of Defense. Presentation, Process, and Production (P3) Airmen within the 480 ISRW and 693 ISRG represent Major Force Program-3 (MFP-3) funded forces who are administratively assigned to Air Force squadrons but operationally embedded within national intelligence agencies. This split between Air Force administrative control (ADCON) and national agency operational control (OPCON) creates intense institutional friction. Traditional, geographically bound "squadron constructs" are often poorly suited to govern Airmen whose daily missions are directed by non-service entities. To maximize the warfighting potential of these specialized forces, the Air Force must determine how to balance squadron leadership requirements with the need to develop advanced analytical tradecraft and formal training pathways for signals and language analysts operating specifically within space, cyber, and national intelligence enclaves.
To guide research into optimizing the development and leadership of joint-embedded cryptologic forces, projects should focus on the following core questions:
- How can the Air Force better develop analytic tradecraft and accesses for both signals and language analysts supporting cyber and space intelligence units?
- How can the military develop specialized formal training courses for both signals and language analysis operating specifically within the space and cyberspace domains?
- How do we determine the optimal organizational construct to be most effective for a squadron leadership team when its members are operationally dispersed across national agency enclaves?
- Is a traditional squadron construct still the best organizational model for P3 Airmen, or should the Air Force pioneer a novel organizational design tailored to leased-out cryptologic forces?
- What alternative command, OPCON, and ADCON models exist among other military services or interagency partners that could more effectively task-organize joint-embedded forces?
- How does the organizational separation between tactical military units (Major Force Program-2) and national intelligence agencies (Major Force Program-3) impact the Air Force's ability to seamlessly integrate cryptologic capabilities into theater-level air operations?
- Bava, Capt. Daniel A., "Space ISR and Artificial Intelligence," SOS AUAR 2025, 7 pgs.
- Jetton, Capt. Justin M., "Artificial Intelligence in Space: Providing Near Real-Time Threat Analysis," SOS AUAR paper, 2020, 11 pgs.
-
- Black, Capt. Marie, "Squadron Commander Selection," SOS AUAR, 2021, 7 pgs.
-
Cunningham, Lt. Col. James A., "Comptrollers and WSA ADCON: 12 Years Later," AWC Strategic Studies Paper, 2020, 19 pgs.
- Swiechowicz, Lt. Col. Jennie A. Y., "Unshackled Command: How Air Force Wing Reorganization is Empowering Commanders to Achieve Greater Mission Success," AWC PSP, 2021, 46 pgs.
- Zbir, Lt. Col. Kendra, "Leaders Make Leaders: A holistic Approach for Military Leadership Development," AWC PSP, 2021, 46 pgs.