The diversity of future threats, the distances imposed upon a US based force, and declining fiscal and manpower resources, has forced an emphasis on rapidly deployable contingency forces. The Air Force, in light of this changing economic and strategic military environment is proposing a number of changes to its organization. One proposed organizational change is replacement of traditional monolithic wings with what is termed "composite wings." Composite wings are units that combine the capabilities of various aircraft to form self-sufficient mission packages used to satisfy theater air tasking objectives. The proposed structure will contain a mixed package of aircraft and their support assets at a single base, under the control of a single boss. This monograph analyzes two fundamental questions. Is the composite wing a viable structure for improving combat effectiveness while meeting future operational and strategic war fighting needs? And, at the same time, is the proposed peacetime structure of composite wing's compatible with the current political environment? The monograph investigates the historical use of composite forces during World War II in the European and Pacific theaters of war; the creation and uses of the Composite Air Strike Force in limited conflict; and finally, the use of composite wings during the Gulf War. These historical examples serve to identify the strengths and weaknesses of employing composite air forces in war, offering a base from which to judge their wartime usefulness in the current political and military environment. Finally the monograph explores the concept of peacetime based composite wings to support the principle of organizing and training as one would fight. The argument for peacetime composite air wings rests on the premise that their training, location, and composition will enable them to react more quickly and efficiently to future regional crises. This fits well within the framework of the Air Force's Global Reach - Global Power concept. Discussion in this area includes testbed composite wings, cost effectiveness, training, responsiveness and deployability, maintenance, basing, and command and control. Research shows that composite wings have historical and current foundation. In theory, they represent a cost effective and valid structure for the future environment, in both war and peace. The Air Force is instituting change at a pace that will allow it time to develop relevant measures of merit before fully committing to organizational change. This should give the Air Force ample time to evaluate the testbed structures of the 366th air intervention composite wing and the 23rd airland composite wing as valid peacetime structures. Composite wings significantly improve tactical coordination and hence can improve combat effectiveness across the continuum of conflict. But, before full implementation, Air Force leaders must resolve the apparent problem of integrating composite wing forces with other forces to ensure that the indivisibility of airpower is preserved at the theater level. Composite wings may be ideal for future limited scenarios requiring independent operations, but prudence dictates that they also be as adept at larger integrated air operations.

ADA 274462 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)