Developing an assessment framework for U.S. Air Force building partnerships programs

Working with allies to build their defense capacity, acquire access to their territories for potential operations, and strengthen relationships with their air forces is an important U.S. Air Force activity. To determine the value of this activity, the authors outline an assessment framework that planners, strategists, and policymakers can use to see whether Air Force security cooperation activities are achieving the desired effects. They recommend that the Air Force incorporate an assessment process at the program level into its current security cooperation assessment process to meet the needs of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the combatant commands, and the Air Force. They also point out that it is important for Air Force stakeholders to assess security cooperation with the intent to inform decisionmaking. Because of the limited assessment guidance and the need for efficient assessment processes, the Air Force should clarify and specify stakeholder assessment roles and responsibilities for security cooperation assessments.