LeMay Center Releases Trio of Doctrine Updates Strengthening Air Force Readiness in Contested Environments

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (September 26, 2025) – The Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education announced the release of three Air Force Doctrine Publications: AFDP 3-50, Personnel Recovery; AFDP 3-52, Airspace Control, and AFDP 3-59, Weather Operations. Doctrine provides Airmen with a common language and understanding of how the Air Force fights. Whether recovering isolated personnel, managing and controlling airspace, or leveraging environmental information, doctrine empowers Airmen to think critically, act decisively, and operate as part of a unified Joint Force.

AFDP 3-50, Personnel Recovery,  reinforces the U.S. Air Force's unwavering commitment to recovering isolated personnel anywhere on the globe and ensuring their safe return. Rooted in the ethos “That Others May Live,” it details how proactive preparation, meticulous planning, decisive execution and continuous adaptation are vital to sustaining force morale, deterring potential adversaries, upholding national resolve and preserving combat power. AFDP 3-52, Airspace Control provides the doctrinal foundation for managing the air domain with precision and flexibility. It emphasizes centralized control, decentralized execution, and the seamless integration of manned, unmanned, and space-based systems. In an era of rapid decision-making and complex operational environments, this doctrine ensures Airmen can coordinate, deconflict, and control airspace supporting the Joint Force Commander. AFDP 3-59, Weather Operations highlights the crucial role of weather operations in providing commanders with decision advantage across the competition continuum. It reveals how integrating weather considerations during planning, execution, and assessment leads to successful operations. By understanding and leveraging terrestrial, atmospheric, and space conditions, Airmen gain foresight, mitigate risk, and outpace adversaries.

These doctrine updates embody the essence of modern Air Force thinking, experience distilled into guidance, designed to prepare Airmen for the demands of today and tomorrow. Doctrine is our foundation, it connects past experience to present realities and future challenges that gives Airmen the confidence to operate with clarity, adaptability, and purpose.

To access all of our doctrine publications and explore additional resources, visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil.

Past Releases:

LeMay Center Releases Trio of Doctrine Updates Strengthening Air Force Readiness in Contested Environments


 

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (September 26, 2025) – The Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education announced the release of three Air Force Doctrine Publications: AFDP 3-50, Personnel Recovery; AFDP 3-52, Airspace Control, and AFDP 3-59, Weather Operations. Doctrine provides Airmen with a common language and understanding of how the Air Force fights. Whether recovering isolated personnel, managing and controlling airspace, or leveraging environmental information, doctrine empowers Airmen to think critically, act decisively, and operate as part of a unified Joint Force.

AFDP 3-50, Personnel Recovery,  reinforces the U.S. Air Force's unwavering commitment to recovering isolated personnel anywhere on the globe and ensuring their safe return. Rooted in the ethos “That Others May Live,” it details how proactive preparation, meticulous planning, decisive execution and continuous adaptation are vital to sustaining force morale, deterring potential adversaries, upholding national resolve and preserving combat power. AFDP 3-52, Airspace Control provides the doctrinal foundation for managing the air domain with precision and flexibility. It emphasizes centralized control, decentralized execution, and the seamless integration of manned, unmanned, and space-based systems. In an era of rapid decision-making and complex operational environments, this doctrine ensures Airmen can coordinate, deconflict, and control airspace supporting the Joint Force Commander. AFDP 3-59, Weather Operations highlights the crucial role of weather operations in providing commanders with decision advantage across the competition continuum. It reveals how integrating weather considerations during planning, execution, and assessment leads to successful operations. By understanding and leveraging terrestrial, atmospheric, and space conditions, Airmen gain foresight, mitigate risk, and outpace adversaries.

These doctrine updates embody the essence of modern Air Force thinking, experience distilled into guidance, designed to prepare Airmen for the demands of today and tomorrow. Doctrine is our foundation, it connects past experience to present realities and future challenges that gives Airmen the confidence to operate with clarity, adaptability, and purpose.

To access all of our doctrine publications and explore additional resources, visit https://www.doctrine.af.mil.

Past Releases:

 

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