Air Defense Priorities in Support of AirLand Battle

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.