Joint air ground integration

Headnote

A recognized Army problem that can be solved

Over the last 15 years, the U.S. Army has fortunately operated in environments in which the joint and coalition forces have maintained complete air supremacy enabling readily available and effective air support to the land component in the conduct of ground operations. With the strategic and operational landscape of global military operations in continual transformation, it is readily apparent that peer and near-peer threats are narrowing the gap in land, sea and air capabilities. It is absolutely imperative that we as an Army recognize our shortfalls specific to air ground integration and implement the required changes at both the individual and collective levels of training to overcome these gaps. To achieve this, the Army at division and corps levels need to 1. be aware of the proven training venues that already exist and 2. make the necessary commitment to ensure the right personnel are receiving joint air ground integration training prior to execution of operations worldwide.

Joint air ground training venues

The Army currently supports and provides joint air ground training and education at both the tactical and operational levels. The Army Joint Support Team (AJST), which is subordinate to the Combined Arms Center for Training, has operating locations at both Hurlburt Field, Fla., and Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. At Hurlburt Field, the AJST provides instructor support and expertise to both formal and informal courses, focused at the operational level. The formal training courses include the Joint Air Operations Command and Control Course (JAOC2C) and the Air Operations Center Initial Qualification Course, both conducted by the 505th Training Squadron. Further, the AJST team...