Close Air Support Command and Control at the Operational Level

Close Air Support is inherently one of the most joint endeavors in today's military. Coordination and integration of air and ground assets are the keys to successful close air support. Command and control at the operational level can set the stage for success or failure. Advances in technology, changes in warfare, and transformation of Army organization have led to rapid change in the world of command and control. Doctrine publications at all levels struggle to keep pace with changes. With this problem in mind, the primary question is whether or not Joint, US Air Force, and US Army doctrine and TTPs work together to ensure effective CAS command and control at the operational level in the current operational environment. This study starts with a history of air-ground coordination and the command and control of close air support. It then compares current Joint, Air Force, and Army publications to find doctrinal disconnects that might lead to gaps in joint integration and suggests changes to the lifecyle and update methods of Joint and service doctrine documents.