Joint Fires in Support of Large-Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) using the Luzon Campaign as a Case Study
Abstract
After two decades of COIN operations, the Army has shifted focus to near peer competition. The most likely course of action is the US will fight small wars or counterinsurgencies, while the most dangerous course of action is the US will fight a Large-Scale Combat Operation against a near peer competitor such as Russia or China. The reason Large-Scale Combat Operations are important is because state survival is at stake. The Joint Fires community plays an integral part in Large Scale Combat Operations by shaping at all three levels of war: tactical, operational, and strategic. Joint Fires in support of Large-Scale Combat Operations is worth studying since the Joint Fires community is learning how to do this again after two decades of COIN. Studying the Luzon Campaign, which has been largely forgotten from World War II is a perfect case study to highlight lessons learned as well as tactics, techniques, and procedures the US Army used in the Joint Fires enterprise during what became the second largest land campaign in World War II. By studying the shaping campaign prior to the Lingayen Gulf landings on Luzon, one can gain several lessons regarding command and control of joint forces and the complexity of a shaping campaign that set the conditions for the successful Sixth Army landings on Luzon. The second part of the PSP focuses on the Flying Column. By studying this joint combined arms maneuver, the importance of airpower and how you communicate and control it comes to light.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 24, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1107490
Entities
People
- Thomas G. Jr Wilson
Organizations
- Air War College