The man generally known as the architect of what’s termed “effects based operations,” Air Force Lt. Gen. David Deptula, set the tone for representatives from all combatant commands at a US Pacific Command-sponsored EBO workshop. (Read Deptula’s 2001 article in Air Force Magazine.) Deptula, who is commander of the Kenney warfighting center at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, told attendees that EBO is “not a process” and it shouldn’t be turned into “a tactic, technique, or procedure.” And, he maintains it is “not service specific.” Deptula describes EBO as a “methodology or a way of thinking” that “needs to supplement tried-and-true practices of military force application.” That methodology would include all options—from diplomatic to military—to achieve strategic objectives.
While the Space Force is still making long-term plans to establish high-fidelity live and virtual test and training ranges in the coming years, officials say they're also working with operators to identify near-term gaps and quickly field capabilities to address them.
