The OA-10: How Can We Best Employ it in the Airland Battle
Abstract
This monograph addresses how to employ the OA-10 aircraft in the forward air control role in the AirLand Battle. The paper defines forward air controlling and close air support, reviews the history of the airborne forward air controller since World War I, and examines the environment faced by an airborne forward air controller in Europe. The capability of the OA-10 to perform this mission and the employment options under consideration are also examined, testing these options against the Army's requirements for close air support. The monograph concludes the OA-10 concludes the OA-10 can perform the airborne forward air control mission, but the role of the airborne forward air controller must be expanded to take advantage of the OA-10's unique capabilities. Neither of the two options under consideration by the United States Air Force does this. Therefore, the Air Force should expand its doctrine concerning forward air controlling if it is going to use the OA-10 as an airborne air control aircraft effectively.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA210984
Entities
People
- Mark H. Skattum
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College