Improving Time Sensitive Targeting Operations with Decentralized Engagement Authority

Commanders in every major combat operation since Operation Desert Storm dedicated large numbers of joint forces to the prosecution of high priority strategic targets that either posed an immense threat to coalition forces, allies and neutral states or were so fleeting in nature that they needed to be engaged quickly lest the target be lost. As a result of the strategic nature of the target and the ramifications of incorrect decisions, recent combat operations and joint exercises involving time sensitive targets (TST) employ with increasingly higher levels of centralized engagement authority. While this seemingly ensures safety of operations, it also violates the Air Force doctrine of centralized control, decentralized execution and ultimately lengthens the kill chain timeline with potentially negative impact on the ability of joint fires to engage the high priority, fleeting target.