Military Readiness: Lingering Training and Equipment Issues Hamper Air Support of Ground Forces
Abstract
Recent operations in Afghanistan demonstrated the dangers of providing air support close to troops on the ground. Such close air support requires timely, well-practiced procedures and communication between ground and air elements. While most close air support operations inAfghanistan were successful, friendly fire incidents have resulted from mistakes made while conducting the mission. At the request of the Ranking Minority Members of the Subcommittees on Total Force and Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services, GAO reviewed Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to provide adequate close air support training, as well as efforts to enhance the equipment used to support this mission. GAO is recommending several initiatives to provide the leadership and accountability needed to resolve the lingering close air support training shortfalls. GAO is also recommending actions to achieve greater equipment interoperability among the services.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- AD1165461
Entities
People
- John Pendleton
- Laura Durland
- Lester Ward
- Matthew Ullengren
- Nancy Benco
- Neal P. Curtin
- Ray Carroll
- Vincent Balloon
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office