Airborne Command, Control, and Communications: A Strategic Imperative for the Marine, Air, Ground, Task Force
Abstract
The history of the Marine Corps is replete with examples of strategic, operational, and tactical development, innovation, experimentation and employment. From a very humble and austere beginning in the late 1700s, to becoming the creators of amphibious warfare doctrine in the late 1930s, and from the Corps' initial experimentations with aircraft, to becoming today, the worlds foremost authorities on the tactics, techniques, and procedures of close air support, Marines have been at the forefront of developing our nation's warfighting doctrine. Today is no different. As our nation's military forces struggle with such issues as downsizing, asymmetrical threats, and issues associated with roles and missions, the Marine Corps is once again leading the way in the development of concepts and doctrine for future warfare. This concept, articulated in the recently released document, Operational Maneuver From the Sea (OMFTS), highlights a requirement for highly mobile, extremely lethal, fully integrated, expeditionary forces capable of conducting operations across the spectrum of conflict. In simple terms, OMFTS seeks to capitalize on the inherent strengths of maneuver warfare combined with the strategic advantages afforded by our dominance at sea. Critical to the success of this concept is the ability to capitalize on emerging technological advances with regards to mobility, fire power, and information/command and control networking. Here is where the disconnect exists. While the Marine Corps has taken great strides in correcting deficiencies with regards to mobility and fire power issues, little has been done to correct deficiencies associated with the Corps' command and control system. If the Marine Corps is to reap the maximum benefit afforded by OMFTS, then efforts must be directed at developing and fielding an enhanced command and control system fully supported by an airborne command, control, and communications platform.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA376321
Entities
People
- Mark D. Mahaffey
Organizations
- United States Army War College