The Air Assault Division. Is It a Viable Strategic Contingency Force for the Twenty-First Century?

Abstract

The post Cold-War era has opened the door for the United States to become involved in a myriad of military operations in the execution of our National Security Strategy. As U.S. Army forces continue to conduct a variety of peace support operations and prepare to fight major regional contingency operations, our contingency force must evolve into a fighting force that is operationally capable, strategically deployable, and sustainable. This monograph examines the validity of the air assault division as a strategic contingency force in the year 2010. To analyze the air assault division as a strategic contingency force, this monograph addresses the role of the air assault division, specifically, its mission/purpose, strengths and limitations. It examines the division's operational capabilities, strategic deployability, and the logistics required to conduct contingency operations. All analyses reflect the enhancements of force modernization and projected strategic lift inventories of the year 2010. This monograph concludes that the air assault division will be a viable contingency force in the year 2010. It has the operational reach to strike deep targets to shape operations at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of war. It has a rapid deployment capability that is task organized with sufficient firepower and mobility, so that from an ISB it can conduct forced entry operations or exploit tactical success. It is not a force limited by terrain or obstacles, and has the versatility and lethality to provide a credible SASO force capable of rapid transition into combat operations should deterrence efforts fail. It is a force limited by its ability to strategically deploy, mass combat power, and sustainment of class III, V, and IX supplies.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 1998
Accession Number
ADA357423

Entities

People

  • Marshall A. Hagen

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Army Aircraft
  • Artillery
  • Attack Helicopters
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Deployment
  • Employment
  • Logistics
  • National Security
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Second World War
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Strategic Security Studies