Aligning USAR Aviation Force Structure for DSCA
Abstract
Over the last decade, the Army has increased its reliance on reserve forces for contingency operations. In 2008, the United States Army Reserve (USAR) transitioned from a Strategic Reserve to an Operational Reserve. This, along with President Obama's current strategic guidance, emphasized the need for the Army Reserve to streamline its structure and concentrate on its core competencies. In line with these core competencies, the Army's strategic guidance calls for an increased emphasis on Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA), a mission that the Army Reserve is well suited to perform. This paper makes recommendations to realign Army Reserve Aviation assets to achieve efficiencies and better support both the President's and the Army's strategic guidance. It proposes that, Army Reserve Aviation should transform its two attack reconnaissance battalions (AH-64) to assault battalions (UH-60) in order to realign with the component's mission and meet its DSCA support requirements. This paper also proposes the addition of a Theater Aviation Brigade (TAB) headquarters to the USAR aviation force structure in order to allow for greater flexibility in the component's ability to conduct mission command.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA588625
Entities
People
- Guy D. Bass
Organizations
- United States Army War College