Air Force Doctrine Document 2-5.4: Public Affairs Operations

1. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-5.4:Public Affairs Operations

2. Purpose of AFDD-2-5.4 • Defines public affairs operations • Operations that communicate unclassified information about Air Force activities to Air Force, domestic, and international audiences • Includes: public affairs, musical programs, broadcasting, visual information, combat camera, recruiting, and history and museum programs • Discusses public affairs operations as part of information operations (IO) • Part of information-in-warfare (IIW): collect and disseminate information • Supports information warfare (IW): OPSEC, PSYOP, counter-PSYOP, information assurance

3. Outline • Chapter 1: Public Affairs Operations and the Information Environment • Chapter 2: Operational Integration • Chapter 3: Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Chapter 4: Support for Operations • Chapter 5: Training and Education

4. Chapter One:Public Affairs Operations and the Information Environment • A discussion on the activities that make up public affairs operations • Commanders need a clear understanding of these actions so they can harness the speed and capability of communication technology to help achieve their military objectives • A discussion on the global information environment’s (GIE) effect on military operations • GIE is all individuals, organizations, or systems that collect, process, and disseminate information worldwide

5. Chapter Two:Operational Integration • Integration with IO • At all levels of command, public affairs operations should be an integral part of the IO cells • IIW: Collection and dissemination • Process information from past and present Air Force operations • Information can help warfighters “get in front” of a crisis, frame the public debate, and make well-informed decisions

6. Chapter Two:Operational Integration • IW: Support and Deconfliction • Commanders should understand that public affairs operations, although distinct from IW, may support some IW activities • Commanders should use public affairs operations: • As part of OPSEC • To reduce the impact of adversary IO • Commanders should deconflict public affairs operations with IW activities such as PSYOP

7. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Capabilities of Public Affairs Operations • Trusted Counsel to Leaders: • Analyzing and interpreting the global information environment, monitoring domestic and foreign public opinion, providing lessons learned from the past, and preparing leaders to communicate with the media

8. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Capabilities of Public Affairs Operations (cont.) • Airmen Morale and Readiness: • Enable airmen to understand their roles in the mission, explaining how policies, programs, and operations affect them and their families

9. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Capabilities of Public Affairs Operations (cont.) • Public Trust and Support • Support a strong national defense, in effect preparing the nation for war, by building public trust and understanding for the military’s contribution to national security and its budgetary requirements

10. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Capabilities of Public Affairs Operations (cont.) • Global Influence and Deterrence • Commanders should employ public affairs operations to develop and implement communication strategies targeted toward informing national and international audiences about aerospace power’s impact on global events • This demonstrates US resolve, enhancing friendly nation support and deterring potential adversaries

11. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Functions of Public Affairs Operations • Internal Information • Communication to the Air Force audience • Media Relations • Communication to the public through the media • Community Relations • Communication between the Air Force and the civilian community • Security Review • Clearance for release of official information

12. Chapter Three:Capabilities, Functions, and Fundamentals • Fundamentals of Information • Tell the Truth • Provide Timely Information • Include the Media • Practice Security at the Source • Provide Consistent Information at All Levels • Tell the Air Force Story

13. Chapter Four:Support for Operations • Commanders are responsible for public affairs operations • When supporting deployed operations, personnel engaged in public affiairs operations should be sent early into theater • Dramatic media coverage at the outset of military action can rapidly influence public and political opinion and affect strategic decision making

14. Chapter Four:Support for Operations • Planning for public affairs operations is driven from DOD and guides efforts at lower echelons of command

15. Chapter Five:Training and Education • Training • Commanders may require media training so they understand guidelines on the release of information and develop interview strategies and skills needed to excel in the media spotlight • Education • Public affairs operations are being integrated into professional military education through exercises and wargames to better prepare commanders

16. Summary • AFDD 2-5.4 provides a basis for understanding, planning, and executing public affairs operations • Public affairs operations support the warfighter with capabilities that: • Provide trusted counsel and guidance to leaders about the public information environment • Enhance airman morale and readiness to accomplish the mission • Gain and maintain public support for military operations • Communicate US resolve in a manner that provides global influence and deterrence