In what year did the Air Force finalize and publish its information operations (IO) doctrine?

The Air Force finalized and published its information operations (IO) doctrine in 1998. This was a significant year as it marked the formal recognition and structuring of IO within the Air Force’s operational framework. The publication established guidelines and principles for integrating information activities with traditional military operations, emphasizing the importance of information superiority in modern warfare.

Prior to 1998, there were discussions and preliminary documents regarding information operations, but they did not represent a comprehensive doctrine. The 1998 doctrine set forth the framework for how the Air Force would approach the use of information as a strategic component, which has since evolved in response to technological advances and the changing nature of conflict.