Air Defense Priorities in Support of AirLand Battle

<p>This study is an examination of the procedures and techniques used by corps and division headquarters to develop air defense priorities in support of AirLand Battle. The study begins with an examination of the role of the air defender in contributing to the overall initiative agility depth and synchronization of friendly forces on the battlefield. The study explores the doctrine for developing air defense priorities and links the successful application of this doctrine to the air defenders ability to contribute to success on the battlefield. Collection of data from active army corps and division level units revealed that the process for developing air defense priorities was not well understood. The procedures and techniques used are not standardized. Responsibilities for executing the required tasks have not been identified nor fixed to specific individuals in many headquarters. In many cases the personnel involved in the process did not have either the required expertise or timely access to the information needed to accomplish their task. The study concludes that the current procedures and techniques for developing air defense priorities do not allow air defense forces to fully contribute to the overall initiative agility depth and synchronization of friendly forces on the battlefield. The study makes three recommendations for correcting the identified shortfalls. First the task of developing air defense priorities should be added to future rewrites of FM 101-5. Second the explanation of the process of developing air defense priorities needs to be expanded in doctrinal manuals written for Brigade Division and Corps level. Finally the process for developing air defense priorities needs to be incorporated into the instruction of Army schools such as the Combined Arms and Services Staff School the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><br>