The U.S. Air Force activated Integrated Capabilities Command (Provisional) to accelerate force modernization efforts against a backdrop of evolving global threats on Sept. 16.
In provisional status, ICC (P) will immediately begin leading Air Force modernization prioritization efforts across several key investment areas, while continuing to develop the framework for the permanent ICC, which is expected to reach final operational capability as a new Air Force's institutional command in 2025.
"Given the dynamic and challenging threat environment we face today, we know our current processes are not competitive enough," said Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall. "This organization is a key part of the competitive ecosystem we are creating to reoptimize for Great Power Competition. With other DAF organizations, ICC will ensure the Air Force keeps pace with our pacing challenge, China, and acute threat, Russia."
ICC (P) will eventually activate operating locations or detachments co-located with current Air Force operational centers of excellence, bringing on warfighting and programming expertise found across the current functional portfolios. The command will integrate modernization and sustainment subject matter experts aligned in new teams focused on mission integration and operational concept definition, integrated capability development, as well as force analysis and planning.
"The Secretary and I have authorized the standup of ICC provisional effective today," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin during the 2024 Air and Space Force Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference, Sept. 16. "We are going as fast as we dare to build the Air Force we need from the beginning so we remain competitive into the future. We must be integrated from the start to stay ahead of the threat."
Integrated Capabilities Command (P) will:
• Wargame competitive operational concepts and align capability development efforts to prioritize system-of systems mission outcomes over functional solutions
• Develop alternative force structures with variable trade-offs and risks to support DAF funding decisions
• Generate requirements to outpace threats and integrate across missions
• Provide a unified demand signal for science, technology, experimentation and industry
"We will bring together experts from across multiple fields into one organization to drive rapid collaboration that results in a coherent demand signal to industry. This will be essential to driving capability development at the pace our security environment demands," said Maj. Gen. Mark Mitchum, ICC (P) commander.
The provisional Integrated Capabilities Command will work alongside Air Force Materiel Command's Integrated Development Office to determine the feasibility of requirements generated by technical and acquisition experts.
"We're standing up the provisional Integrated Capabilities Command now because we need the collaboration and integration across the Air Force right now," Mitchum said. "We have to come together as a team and move out to stay ahead of our pacing challenge."
ICC will reach full operational capability once a three-star commander is nominated and confirmed, a unit manning document is approved, and the strategic basing process is completed. At this point, the command will no longer be provisional and continue to be responsible for strategic resourcing, modernization, recapitalization and the Air Force Force structure.
