JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, VA -- Air Combat Command's Detachment 4 supports commanders and warfighters across ACC's Numbered Air Forces, Air Operations Centers, Wings, and levels below the Wing to deliver decision dominance through data analytics. Det 4's mission is to execute operational analysis by transforming data into decision advantage for ACC commanders and warfighters within combat airpower, cyberwarfare, and intelligence formations.
The basis for the creation of the Det came from a Chief of Staff Air Force directive to the Secretariat of the Air Force, Studies & Analysis to strengthen and establish independent operations research analytic organizations within the major commands to ensure decision dominance and improve warfighting. In 2021, the Secretariat of the Air Force, Studies and Analyses initiated Project Phalanx to fulfill CSAF’s directive. Later that year, CSAF signed a Program Action Directive (PAD) which authorized Project Phalanx and the associated resourcing actions.
These resourcing actions are currently in progress to enable the activation of the ACC Studies and Analysis Squadron in 2025. However, Det 4 was activated in the interim to provide immediate analytic capability to ACC units as the Det grows to squadron size.
"Our operations analysts (OA) have already begun to demonstrate their value to ACC commanders and operators,” Major Micah J Hafich, Headquarters ACC Detachment 4 commander. “We look forward to partnering with additional units across ACC to empower data-informed decisions, shortened operational decision-making processes, and creating more efficient Airmen."
Det 4 operations analysts are equipped with cutting edge tools and skills and build collaborative relationships. They work directly with the units to incorporate data science techniques and products into daily operational activities. These data analysis techniques include Applied Probability & Statistics, Modeling and Simulation, Optimization, Predictive Analysis, Process Automation, Decision Analysis, and Applied Machine Learning.
“Our detachment motto is delivering decision dominance. So, we are taking in operational data and applying analytical mathematical techniques to help the warfighter make decisions,” said Lt. Tom Galligani, Det 4 operational analyst, who worked on a project with the 1st Fighter Wing.
Recently, the 1st Maintenance Squadron at Joint Base Langley-Eustis requested assistance from Det 4 to help maintain aircraft stealth combat effectiveness. JBLE had an increase in the numbers of F-22s assigned to them, and the det was there to help support. By highlighting specific analytic technique through a simulation model, their predictive analysis facilitated risk-informed decisions for how 30 new F-22s would impact the fleet’s health based on their current spray bay capability and tempo.
“In maintenance we often ‘know’ what the impact of an action will be, but consistently lack an analytically informed sight picture,” said Lt. Col. Robert Booth, the 1st Maintenance Squadron commander. “This presentation takes our intuitions and codifies them with actionable data to drive strategic decisions, inform operational posturing, and encourage tactical buy-in.”
Operations analysis is vital to meeting end states by supporting Joint Force wins across the competition and warfighting continuums. The integration of decision analysis into the daily battle rhythm as part of the Information Warfare (IW) concept enables commanders and organizations to maximize mission effectiveness.
“We're eager to support the commanders and warfighters across all of ACC's NAFs, Wings, and Air Operations Centers with operations analysis and data analytics to help solve pressing operational challenges,” said Hafich.
ACC commanders and warfighters looking for analytic solutions within their combat airpower, intelligence, or cyberwarfare formations are encouraged to contact Det 4, HQ ACC at ACCA589.DET.4@us.af.mil, or by DSN 574-0089.