Proposals for the Future of JCAS Doctrine
Abstract
Ever since the introduction of the airplane for use in military operations, the issue of its employment in the Close Air Support (CAS) mission has been a contentious issue within the U.S. armed services. Service culture has played a major role in dictating strategic stances within DoD on what aviation roles and missions will pertain to each service. These arguments have divided the services over the use of air power and have resulted in significant clashes throughout history. Using a historical overview of CAS from World War I through Operation Desert Storm, examples of negative ramifications of these arguments can be seen at the tactical level. The Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 emphasized the need to look at CAS from a Joint perspective. Furthermore, technological advances led to more simplified methods of executing CAS and have continued to modernize the battlefield. A Joint doctrine was drafted to accommodate these advances. This doctrine allowed more flexible use of air power just prior to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The original draft of the JCAS publication was not complete, however, and it provided vague direction in controlling and executing CAS. Rather than agreeing to employ more "restrictive" doctrinal measures with regards to procedures, qualifications, and extensive training requirements across all services, some professionals within the DoD prefer to invest in developing technologically advanced systems to bridge the gap made by its complex nature. The issue remains that there will always be holes that technology cannot fill. Attempting to oversimplify this complex mission will hamper the safe and effective use of CAS. Troop losses in future conflicts due to fratricide could be reduced significantly by developing a JCAS doctrine that is complete and fully agreed to by all services. It is time to cease arguing over age-old issues of culture originating from before the Korean War and get on with the next era of JCAS.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA490712
Entities
People
- Luis E. Villalobos
Organizations
- Marine Corps University