Overview

Close air support (CAS) is a vital component of air operations in AirLand Battle. The accelerated tempo and complexity of operations on the extended battlefield requires rapid response from CAS in support of a fluid, complex ground combat, situation. This monograph examines CAS doctrine, function, and joint force design from a historical and current perspective. The monograph begins with an analysis of the evolution of CAS in the German military from 1919 to 1945. The German military developed CAS during the Spanish Civil War and introduced it to the world in the early campaigns of World War II in Poland and France. Next, the monograph discusses the United States experience with CAS from 1945 until the present. The issue of joint operations and joint force design between services is the central theme. Comparing and contrasting the German CAS experience with the US CAS experience since World War II yield insights that are applicable to current AirLand Battle doctrine. Some insights and conclusions derived from this monograph are: joint force design is necessary to reinforce joint doctrine and the missions of close air support (CAS) and battlefield air interdiction (BAI) merge on the fluid, high-tempo modern battlefield. Additionally, successful CAS depends on unity of effort and joint employment flexibility. Unity of effort and joint employment flexibility depend on the use of mission rather than target oriented air taskings. CS Army and USAF CAS assets must work toward the same objective within the framework of the ground commander's intent and scheme of maneuver. This monograph concludes with a proposal for a joint force design concept referred to as the Joint Tactical Air Division (JTAD). The JTAD is a joint force design structure, at Army corps, integrating the complementary capabilities of Army and USAF assets. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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