Operational Fires: Maximizing Effectiveness.
Abstract
IN DESERT STORM, OPERATIONAL FIRES WERE PLANNED, COORDINATED, AND EXECUTED PRIMARILY BY AIR POWER. ALTHOUGH THE JFACC SYSTEM HAS GENERALLY BEEN ACCEPTED AS A SUCCESS FOR ASSURING THE UNITY OF EFFORT WITH RESPECT TO THE OVERALL AIR EFFORT IT HAS SPAWNED INTENSE DEBATE BETWEEN THE SERVICES OVER ITS ABILITY TO COORDINATE AND EXECUTE AN EFFECTIVE JOINT OPERATIONAL FIRES PLAN THAT IS SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF ALL OF THE SERVICE COMPONENTS. THE DEBATE OVER THE OPERATIONAL FIRES ISSUE HAS BEEN MOST HOTLY DEBATED BETWEEN THE USAF AND USA. FOUR MAIN CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDE: THE LACK OF A JOINT DEFINITION; AVAILABILITY OF FORCES AVAILABLE TO THE JFACC FOR TASKING; THE INFLEXIBILITY OF THE ATO SYSTEM TO OTHER SERVICE COMPONENTS; AND COMMAND AND CONTROL OF THE DEEP BATTLE AREA IN AN AREA OF OPERATIONS. THE JFACC SYSTEM AND ATO PROCESS IS THE CORRECT VEHICLE FOR PLANNING, COORDINATING AND EXECUTING OPERATIONAL FIRES MISSION, HOWEVER SEVERAL IMPROVEMENTS NEED TO BE MADE. JOINT DOCTRINE MUST PROVIDE CONCISE DEFINITION, SERVICES MUST WORK DETAILS OF FORCES TO BE EXEMPT FROM JFACC CONTROL, ATO SYSTEM MUST BECOME MORE FLEXIBLE WITH INCREASED/EXPANDED LIAISON ELEMENTS TO IMPROVE COORDINATION AND ABILITY TO INTERFACE, AND COMMAND AND CONTROL STRUCTURE DEVELOPED TO ALLOW MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY IN THE DEEP BATTLE AREA WHERE BOTH AIR AND GROUND FORCES HAVE READY ACCESS WITHOUT INCREASING THE CHANCE OF FRATRICIDE.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 20, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA312156
Entities
People
- John C. Burgess Jr
Organizations
- Naval War College