Command and Control of Joint Airborne Forces: Doctrinal Disconnects

Abstract

Joint airborne operations by United States armed forces are a likely occurrence in today's geo-political environment. These operations are likely not only because of their low-intensity importance in the spectrum of conflict, but also because of their suitability to areas where United States forces, do not normally operate. Doctrinally, joint airborne operations suffer from a lack of basic joint doctrine, as well as associated deficiencies in organization, mission, and command and control. This study examines some of the doctrinal disconnects which impact joint airborne operations, specifically those operations that might occur in the United States Central Command area of responsibility. This command area was chosen for study due to its visibility in current world events and its use of the Army's XVIII Airborne Corps, in which two of the study group's members previously served. The thesis of the study is that the lack of sufficient joint airborne doctrine impacts organizational, mission, and command and control aspects of joint airborne operations. These problem areas are sequentially examined, and recommendations are made to eliminate some of the doctrinal disconnects identified. Keywords: Military strategy; Military airborne operations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 31, 1989
Accession Number
ADA208620

Entities

People

  • Gene W. Cole
  • Luke M. Taylor
  • Vincent J. Santillo Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Airlift Operations
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Combat Forces
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Deployment
  • Doctrine
  • Lessons Learned
  • Logistics
  • Marine Corps
  • Task Forces
  • United States
  • United States Central Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control