Cleared to Engage: Improving Joint Close Air Support Effectiveness
Abstract
The importance of close air support (CAS) has markedly increased over the last five years in Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Ground forces have increasingly relied on the effects that air power provides and will continue to do so in the foreseeable future. This has occurred while CAS doctrine and execution has undergone radical changes. While the fundamentals of a serviceman with a radio calling in air support have remained relatively constant since World War II, the level of mission complexity has steadily increased. Digital communications, precision guided munitions, collateral damage considerations, effects-based operations and a "joint" battlefield have placed increased requirements on terminal attack controllers and CAS aircrew. Close air support has been a heavily debated topic within the services for decades. CAS doctrine and training issues have affected aircraft procurement, interservice relationships, and the application and effectiveness of air power on the battlefield. This has produced numerous Congressional inquiries and service introspection on how to "get it right." While much progress has been made since 2001, the services must continue to make close air support more effective. On the modern battlefield, the joint application of firepower is a reality, not a concept. It is time to "engage" the doctrinal and training challenges facing our services to increase the effectiveness of our aviation forces in the close air support arena. Improvements in the services' approach to doctrine and training will enable air power to become more effective at close air support. Service differences in the approach to doctrine and training are a key limiter in joint CAS execution. Problems in these areas will be highlighted with recommendations on how the military can improve the current joint CAS construct and increase effectiveness on the battlefield.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA515390
Entities
People
- Michael H. Johnson
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College