A Combat Mission Team Performance Model: Development and initial Application

Aircrew coordination is now an integral part of all Air Force combat mission training. A vast body of literature exists that deals with aircrew coordination, a subset of which addresses combat mission training. While it is commonly assumed that effective aircrew coordination leads to improved mission performance, surprisingly few studies have demonstrated an empirical link between them using tactically realistic combat scenarios. We present a conceptual model of team performance measurement in which aircrew coordination, team performance, mission performance and their interrelationships are operationally defined. The model builds on the seminal study conducted by the Air Force in 1989 and provides a useful framework for interpreting crew resource management research from other laboratories. Validation of the model has begun with Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) MC-130P aircrews and preliminary data are provided that support key elements of the model.