Targeting for Effect

This study analyzes the use of airpower against enemy ground forces. Maj Scott G.Walker assesses current doctrinal definitions of the close air support and interdictionmissions as seen by the Air Force and Army, comparing and contrasting the two. Inchapter 2 Major Walker examines a typical modern field army, analyzing the variousparts of combat and support forces for criticality and vulnerability to air attack.Chapter 3 examines the desired operational effects and tactical results. Thisexamination includes the questions of enemy actions, congruence with overallstrategy, and the tactical problem of finding, identifying, striking, and assessingdamage to the target. Operational level combat assessment is also discussed. Inchapter 4 Major Walker examines the historical development of combined armswarfare and current Army doctrine regarding forms of maneuver, attack, anddefense, highlighting areas where a particular ground scheme of maneuver is bestsupported by a particular air mission, or by air attack on a specific target set.Chapter 5 briefly reviews four case studies in attack aviation, ranging from WorldWar One to the Vietnam War. The final chapter is a recap of the top-to-bottomanalysis process, including a graphic depiction of the author's counterland analysisframework. The themes that recur throughout are the need for planning to remainflexible, using the speed and firepower of air attack to concentrate force whereneeded, and the requirement for good operational and tactical intelligence.