Operational Assessment of CAS in COIN

The evolution of air-ground doctrine over the past 100 years shapes the role of CAS in today's COIN environment. This continuous evolution of doctrine as manifest through improvements to employment practices, command and control methodology, and inter-service relationships tests the limits of the air component to assess CAS effectiveness and efficiency at the operational level of war. The supporting role of the air component to provide CAS in a COIN fight requires a re-tooling of the assessment process literally from the ground up. Improved assessment will better capture and synchronize the dynamics of the desired effects requested by the tactical ground commander to air and land component operational objectives and link more effectively to JFC objectives. The key to assessment of CAS in COIN is a renewed emphasis on and deeper understanding of the limits of optimizing efficiency and means by which the air component can maximize effectiveness to fly, fight, and win the COIN campaign.