The unique abilities which differentiate air power from sea and land power generate unique requirements for intelligence in support of air operations. Air power is able to respond quickly over large distances and so aircraft are often first on the scene in a crisis; intelligence must strive to match this responsiveness and reach by providing timely, fused, all-source products to decision makers and commanders at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
Even the limitations of air power generate their own intelligence requirements. Aircraft and the bases on which they are dependent must be protected; intelligence must provide assessments of the nature and capabilities of the threat and counter intelligence must protect against the intelligence efforts of other nations. The cost of aircraft and their limited numbers make them a valuable resource. This, combined with their vulnerability in the air, means that intelligence must be provided so that enemy threats can be avoided or negated where possible.
Warfare in the modern age has developed to encompass conflict of global proportions, culminating in the two world wars of the 20th century and a cold war which brought the major powers to the brink of nuclear exchanges. In more recent times, while the likelihood of major conflict has reduced, involvement in United Nations (UN) sponsored peace operations has increased. Most of these operations do not involve combat in the traditional sense of the word, but the risks faced by UN forces are nonetheless real, and the situations they face can alter quickly and dramatically. Rather than just peacekeeping duties, UN forces are now becoming increasingly involved in peace-making and peace-enforcement operations; such operations are closer to combat and must be planned and prepared for, from that perspective.