Command of Observation Aviation: A Study in Control of Tactical Airpower

Abstract

This short monograph is concerned only with the story of the command and control of that category of airpower which, prior to 1943, was called "observation." It recalls the problems encountered by observation units in the period prior to World War II when they were first assigned and then attached to ground units. It shows how such a system of control broke down in North Africa when it first met the tests of modern air warfare. It clearly demonstrates the reasons why short-range, ground-controlled "observation" had to be supplanted in 1943 by unified, centrally-controlled "tactical air reconnaissance." This monograph was written by Dr. Robert F. Futrell of the USAF Historical Division, Research Studies Institute, Air University. Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Like other Historical Division studies, it is subject to revision, and additional information or suggested corrections will be welcomed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1956
Accession Number
ADA529959

Entities

People

  • Robert F. Futrell

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Facilities
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Army
  • Close Support
  • Command And Control
  • Far East
  • Field Army
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Organizations
  • North Africa
  • Observation
  • Second World War
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control