Ground Truth the Implications of Joint Interdependence for Air and Ground Operations

<p>Joint interdependence grows out of the growing reliance of the Army on the Air Force as it becomes more agile and sheds some of its organic fires. Therefore this research paper only addresses those areas where air and ground operations merge on the battlefield. There are four questions addressed herein: What are the implications of joint interdependence? What are the doctrinal friction points? Where is the potential for operational seams? What might be the options for a way ahead? Organizing the services to become more interdependent makes sense operationally and strategically. Yet experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq demonstrate that the services have much to accomplish to institutionalize joint interdependence despite the spirit of cooperation that now exists between the air and land services in both areas of operations. The simultaneous ground operations of the US Army's V Corps and the US Marine Corps' I MEF during Operation Iraqi Freedom provides a unique opportunity to evaluate the issues of joint interdependence and propose potential solutions towards creating mutually enabling air and ground operations.</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>