Improving Joint Fire Support for 21st Century Hybrid Warfare
Abstract
One area where the struggles for achieving the desired synergy of "Jointness" are most evident is Joint fires. In the past, periods of conflict have clearly brought these problems to light and have provided valuable lessons learned to guide improvements. The long conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have highlighted significant issues with Joint fire support. These problems include lack of responsiveness of Joint fires, the inability to utilize many precision fires capabilities available, an overreliance on close air support, and the ineffective integration of nonlethal fires. Some analysts believe the current operating environment reflects what the Joint Force will likely have to deal with in the future. Additionally, the concept of hybrid warfare predicts that what we have seen will become more complex, due to the proven adaptive nature of current enemy threats. With more of the same but worse expected in future conflicts, it is imperative that we aggressively work to solve the problems identified with Joint fires. This paper proposes that improvements can be made in joint fire support by creating a centralized point of authority for Fires integration, codifying the required Fires integration capabilities needed in the Joint Force Headquarters, and improving the responsiveness of the Dynamic Targeting Process. These improvements will ensure that the Joint Force Commander has the Fires capabilities needed to succeed in future hybrid conflicts.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 04, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA563799
Entities
People
- Donald L. Cherry Jr.
Organizations
- Naval War College