Joint Fires Battlespace Deconfliction

<p>When air and ground forces operate in close proximity unintended side effects surface in the form of fratricide. Despite precision capabilities close air support operations run the greatest risk to friendly ground forces. In the same vein ground artillery technological advances in range and altitude conflict with aircraft orbiting above the battlespace even when far from the front lines. Not unexpectedly air-to-ground fratricide incidents greatly outnumber ground-to-air incidents by the sheer nature of these operations. Thus joint and service doctrines devote most of their literature accordingly. However doctrine regarding deconfliction of aircraft from ground artillery is less than adequate requiring modification and emphasis. This paper addresses the changing battlespace concept. The primary focus of the discussion concentrates on fratricide during close air support and kills box operations viewed from both an air-to-ground and ground-to-air perspective. Contained within are historical examples of United States fratricide incidents during major conflicts from World War II to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Regardless of history an ineffaceable variable is the continuous increase of airborne platforms by all services. Coupled with recent trends of decreasing battlespace footprints limited enemy air threats and short duration conflicts there is need to emphasize clearer and more focused doctrine regarding joint fires deconfliction. Almost all of the doctrine currently revolves around air-to-ground fratricide but it is imperative more focused doctrine revolve around the ground-to-air fratricide and ways to mitigate impacts.</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>