Director of mobility forces (DIRMOBFOR)

Definition

The Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) is a designated officer in charge of coordinating strategic and tactical airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation for a specific theater of operations within the United States military. This individual is responsible for advising the joint force air component commander (JFACC) on operations planning and execution related to airlift and air mobility. DIRMOBFOR is key to ensuring efficient and effective use of air mobility assets in military operations.

Key Takeaways

1. The Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) is a senior officer who is responsible for coordinating strategic and theater airlift operations, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation. This includes tasks like coordinating the right aircraft for the job, managing requests, and ensuring smooth spectrum of operations.
2. DIRMOBFOR acts as a principal advisor to the Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC) and supports the JFACC in maintaining complete oversight over air mobility forces. This involves reporting on the posture, readiness, and employment of air mobility assets within the theater.
3. Finally, the DIRMOBFOR plays an essential role in planning, coordinating, tasking, and controlling trainings and missions. This officer is responsible for adapting to ever-changing operational environments, making strategic decisions to ensure mission success, and safeguarding the wellbeing of all men and women in the mobility forces.

Importance

The term Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) is significant in military operations because it denotes a key leadership position that oversees and controls air mobility elements within a theater.

The DIRMOBFOR is primarily responsible for the effective planning, coordination, and execution of air mobility operations which include airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation.

They act as a liaison between the commander, the Air Operations Center (AOC), and other components of the force, ensuring effective and efficient use of air mobility resources.

Therefore, the effectiveness of a DIRMOBFOR can significantly impact the outcome of a mission or operation, making this role crucial in military operations.

Explanation

The Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR) plays a key role within the military operations in maintaining the seamless execution of air mobility. More specifically, this position is predominantly oriented towards ensuring the effective and efficient coordination, integration and management of all air mobility assets within a specified theatre of operations.

The individual appointed in this role has a key purpose of providing expertise on all aspects of air mobility operations, intended to aid in achieving a maximum operational advantage. This includes roles in planning, executing and controlling air mobility missions that may encompass aerial refueling, air evacuation and airlift missions.

Moreover, a DIRMOBFOR also serves as a critical link between the air mobility operations and the Joint Force Air Component Commander, or JFACC. The JFACC relies on the DIRMOBFOR for essential advice on air mobility issues and accurate assessments of air mobility capabilities within their theater of operations.

Thus, by fulfilling their role, the DIRMOBFOR significantly contributes to the overall success of the JFACC’s mission within an assigned airspace. They are the bridge that connects the broader strategic objectives of the command structure with the operational capacities of the air mobility forces, thereby playing a crucial role in successful military outcomes.

Examples of Director of mobility forces (DIRMOBFOR)

Operation Iraqi Freedom: During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, the DIRMOBFOR was responsible for coordinating, overseeing, and tracking the numerous troop and equipment movements. This included the robust challenge of overseeing a sudden influx of forces and machines into the region and their subsequent movements.

Hurricane Katrina Relief Operations: After the disastrous Hurricane Katrina in the U.S., the Director of Mobility Forces was key in the relief efforts. The position managed the movement of troops, emergency supplies, food, and medical equipment in and out of the disaster-stricken zone, coordinating with various non-military organizations for efficient results. The DIRMOBFOR also coordinated the evacuation of civilians in some scenarios.

NATO Operations: In NATO operations such as Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia, the establishment of a DIRMOBFOR helped to plan, coordinate, and task aircraft assets moving into, out of, and within the designated theater. The DIRMOBFOR’s role was fundamental in dealing with the complexities of air mobility in a multinational environment, enhancing not only effectiveness but also optimizing the use of valuable and limited resources.

FAQs on Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR)

What is DIRMOBFOR?

The Director of Mobility Forces or DIRMOBFOR is a designated officer who is responsible for the planning, coordination, and execution of air mobility operations in a particular area of operations.

What are the roles of a DIRMOBFOR?

The DIRMOBFOR serves as the primary advisor to the Joint Force Air Component Commander and other commanders on mobility issues. They also orchestrate the air mobility mission to integrate with the overall air campaign plan. Additionally, they guide the allocation and tasking of air mobility forces.

Who can be assigned as a DIRMOBFOR?

An experienced officer who understands air mobility forces’ capabilities and employment from the strategic to the tactical level is typically assigned as a DIRMOBFOR. This officer is usually a senior air mobility pilot, but others with extensive air mobility command and control (C2) experience can also be appointed.

Where does a DIRMOBFOR operate?

The DIRMOBFOR operates from within the Air Operations Center (AOC) of the affiliated area of operation. This allows them to have complete visibility of, and communication with, all assigned mobility resources.

Does every military operation need a DIRMOBFOR?

Not every operation requires a DIRMOBFOR. The decision to assign a DIRMOBFOR depends on the scale, complexity, and requirements of the specific military operation.

Related Military Operation Terms

• Air Mobility Command (AMC)
• Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC)
• Air Operations Center (AOC)
• Theater Air Control System (TACS)
• Air Tasking Order (ATO)

Sources for More Information

Sure, here are four reliable sources that can provide more information about the term “Director of Mobility Forces (DIRMOBFOR)”:

• U.S. Air Force Official Site: Accurate, recent and comprehensive reports related to all Air Force activities.
• U.S. Department of Defense: Up-to-date and all-encompassing information on the various terms and roles in the military sectors.
• Joint Chiefs of Staff Official Website: Reliable source for accurate understanding of joint military operations.
• Air University (AU): For educational and doctrinal spaces for the Air Force.