Integrating Joint Intratheater Airlift Command and Control With the Needs of the Modular Army

<p>The command and control of today's intratheater airlift system as seen in doctrine and in application is complicated and conflicted. As the Army continues its transformation to the modular force requirements for responsive and flexible intratheater airlift have grown. In contrast existing Joint and Air Force intratheater airlift doctrine does not address these needs as seen in recent operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Presented in this thesis are two historical case studies of past intratheater airlift efforts: Burma during World War II and the tactical airlift system of Vietnam. Both provide examples of distinct intratheater airlift command and control arrangements with similar attributes called for by Army transformation. Both case studies provide lessons in the application of theater airlift to support ground forces in a nonlinear battlefield. Coupled with identified failings in both doctrine and structure of the current theater distribution system this thesis identifies requirements of theater airlift if it is to provide effective and efficient support to the modular force. With an understanding of current and past doctrine structural evolutions of intratheater airlift and the effects of each system this thesis concludes with recommended changes to the intratheater airlift command and control structure to meet Army requirements.</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>