ABO, on the other hand, integrates specialties into a coordinated unit mission to support the air base during wartime conditions. The immediate threat to ABO is that it may fall victim to the budget ax before being given an opportunity to flourish and contribute to combat capability. Even though ABO equipment is far less expensive than our newest weapon systems, the danger of neglect is ever present. It is important to remind programmers that the most capable aircraft or tactical missile is useless if locked in a Tab-Vee shelter at an air base, frozen after attack to the point of immobility. Ultimately, the air base is the foundation of our logistics system.
Professional soldiers study logistics.
Another danger lies in the mental trap of viewing a new capability only from the vantage point of what it is designed to accomplish. To summarize, ABO faces many challenges. Among these are competition with glamorous new weapons in lean budget years, acquiring strong advocacy from the Air Staff, obtaining common agreement on organization among the major commands, establishing a coordinated ABO career path to develop officer and NCO leadership, embodying the warrior spirit in career fields that have emphasized peacetime management in lieu of wartime leadership, and creating a center of excellence to coordinate integrated training, doctrine development, and equipment acquisition. We do not help matters by failing to address these tough issues. Like EOD, ABO requires central focus to fully develop its leadership in order to sustain combat operations.