May 2026 was one of the largest doctrine publication releases in recent times. The following publications were approved and released on 1 May 2026.
AFDP 2-0, Intelligence
AFDP 2-0 updates align intelligence doctrine with current national guidance, strengthen production foundations, add mission-data and acquisition support, highlight kill-chain contributions, and streamline appendices into the main text for clarity.
AFDP 3-12, Cyberspace Operations
AFDP 3-12 updates cyberspace doctrine with COF definitions, the DCDC transition, JP 3-12 terminology, Air Force organizational changes, cyber leadership roles, DC3 description, and clarified JFHQ-C/AFCYBER usage for doctrinal alignment.
AFDP 3-13, Information in Air Force Operations
AFDP 3-13 retitles and reframes doctrine around information in operations, aligning with JP 3-04, clarifying IW, OIE, and information forces terminology, updating Space coordination, sources, and system language for consistency.
AFDP 4-0, Sustainment
The revised publication shifts from Combat Support to Sustainment, aligning Air Force doctrine with JP 4-0, Joint Logistics, and the agreed framework between the LeMay Center and Headquarters Air Force A4. It adds joint definitions for logistics and sustainment, clarifies AFFOR staff responsibilities, and incorporates the AFFORGEN model. The update expands capability descriptions for logistics services, personnel services, operational contracting support, legal, finance, and medical services. It also strengthens discussion of mission support, mission generation, force sustainment, Agile Combat Employment, sustainment command and control, and logistics planning. Prime BEEF and BEAR capabilities were updated to align with AFPD 3-34, Engineer Operations. Collectively, the changes create a more comprehensive and operationally relevant sustainment framework.
AFDP 3-40, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations
AFDP 3-40, Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Operations, aligns Air Force doctrine with updated DoD strategy, joint publications, and DAF guidance. The revision shifts emphasis toward peer conflict in contested environments, reorganizes terminology to align with current operational doctrine, and incorporates mission command, C2, artificial intelligence, sUAS, and hypersonic glide vehicle considerations. It also adds nuclear C2 and command relationship guidance, reinforces research and human capital priorities, and highlights electromagnetic pulse impacts on higher-echelon communications.
AFDP 3-60, Targeting
AFDP 3-60, Targeting, incorporates updates from JP 3-60, including 50 revised definitions, and integrates recent dynamic targeting changes. The revision adds Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response requirements, clarifies how targets move through the six-stage air tasking cycle, and defines Air Force-specific terms such as target custody. It also clarifies 363rd ISRW reachback support, reinforces dynamic targeting as a process rather than a mission type, and aligns procedures with updated Air Operations Center guidance.