Joint Tactical Air Division (JTAD) Concept

Close air support (CAS) is a vital component of air operations in AirLand Battle. The accelerated tempo and complexity of operations on the extended battlefield requires rapid response from CAS in support of a fluid, complex ground combat, situation. This monograph examines CAS doctrine, function, and joint force design from a historical and current perspective. The monograph begins with an analysis of the evolution of CAS in the German military from 1919 to 1945. The German military developed CAS during the Spanish Civil War and introduced it to the world in the early campaigns of World War II in Poland and France. Next, the monograph discusses the United States experience with CAS from 1945 until the present. The issue of joint operations and joint force design between services is the central theme. Comparing and contrasting the German CAS experience with the US CAS experience since World War II yield insights that are applicable to current AirLand Battle doctrine. Some insights and conclusions derived from this monograph are: joint force design is necessary to reinforce joint doctrine and the missions of close air support (CAS) and battlefield air interdiction (BAI) merge on the fluid, high-tempo modern battlefield. Additionally, successful CAS depends on unity of effort and joint employment flexibility. Unity of effort and joint employment flexibility depend on the use of mission rather than target oriented air taskings. CS Army and USAF CAS assets must work toward the same objective within the framework of the ground commander's intent and scheme of maneuver. This monograph concludes with a proposal for a joint force design concept referred to as the Joint Tactical Air Division (JTAD). The JTAD is a joint force design structure, at Army corps, integrating the complementary capabilities of Army and USAF assets.