No Longer Swinging Behind the Pitch: A Historical Case Study of Doctrinal Transitions in US Army Aviation
Abstract
Following sixteen years of counterinsurgent warfare, the US Army is in the midst of doctrinal transition. This transition is a response to emergent characteristics of potential adversaries. For the last thirty years, the US Army has benefited from a technological disparity with the conventional militaries of competing nations. Within the last ten years, this technological gap has closed significantly. This development, along increasing anxiety for the potential of large-scale combat operations, corresponds to an uneasiness with the preparedness of US forces to combat such a threat. This monograph examines the preparation and role of army aviation in future conflict specifically in the context of concerted preparations consistent with the army's transition to Unified Land Operations. To evaluate these preparations, the author examines characteristics of previous periods of doctrinal transition in army aviation's history. Paralleling a historical review of changes in the army at large, this monograph, examines aviation's efforts in the development of Air Mobility doctrine during the Vietnam War era, AirLand Battle in the 1980s, and Full Spectrum Operations in the early 2000s. Identifying characteristics of each model, the author contends that, historically, aviation branch has typically swung behind the pitch in attempting to define its role within capstone doctrine; however, aviation's endeavors to synchronize the efforts of aviation branch with Unified Land Operations exceed those made in past transitions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 24, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1070942
Entities
People
- Ian H. Benson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College