Walkability and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection: Understanding the relationship and how it can work on the United States Air Force’s Main Operating Bases

Abstract

United States Air Force bases are mandated to be both walkable as well as defensible (AT/FP, Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection). These two concepts are, however, often in conflict, with walkability being understood as needing density and proximity of buildings and AT/FP driving buildings apart. This issue is compounded by the need for resilience and fitness within the military force and protection of its people. This thesis focused on two research questions: how does walkability relate to anti-terrorism/force protection, and how is that relationship understood in the Air Force? The thesis first investigated what comprised each concept through an in-depth literature review. Then, using resultant design principles, the two concepts were cross-examined to understand how they relate. Additionally, a series of interviews were completed with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) at the Air Force headquarters level in the career fields of Planning, Engineering, and Anti-Terrorism. The interviews were then analyzed to reveal how they interpreted the two concepts and their relationship. These results were then compared with the findings of the literature review cross-examination. Walkability and AT/FP do overlap across all respective principles. This was prominent with principles such as Vehicle Defense and Visual Interest. These results differed, however, from the results of the interviews where the SMEs viewed the concepts of Walkability and AT/FP more narrowly than the literature does, which coincided with a narrower view of their overlap. The most noted overlaps were that of Compact/Campus Development styles that provide positively for Walkability and AT/FP.