Counterland Operations (Pages 1-16)
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CounterlandAFDD Template Operations Guide Air Force20 Doctrine September Document 2002 2-1.3 11 September 2006 This document complements related discu. ssion found in Joint Publications 3-0, Doctrine for Joint Operations; 3-03, Doctrine for Joint Interdiction Operations; 3- 09, Doctrine for Joint Fire Support; and 3-09.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Close Air Support. BY ORDER OF THE AIR FORCE DOCTRINE DOCUMENT 2-1.3 SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE 11 SEPTEMBER 2006 SUMMARY OF CHANGES This document is substantially revised and must be completely reviewed. It updates the historical discussion of counterland and describes the functions, joint considerations, and elements of effective counterland operations (pages 1-16). It better describes how air interdiction can affect an enemy land force (page 21). It updates the discussion of the different types of air interdiction and associated missions (page 26). It provides a more current description of close air support while explaining types of requests and control (page 32). It updates guidance on command and control of counterland operations (page 49). It updates the description of the various command and control elements of the theater air control system and explains their functions (page 51). It describes the most current linear fire support coordinating measures used in counterland (page 66). It updates discussion on non-linear coordination measures including a discussion about common reference systems and kill box operations (page 72). This document updates basic planning considerations and describes counterland aspects in each phase of the air tasking cycle (page 78). It adds new discussion on how counterland fits into planning at the joint force commander level and gives considerations for planning it within the joint air estimate planning process (page 85). Finally, the publication contains lessons learned for counterland operations from recent conflicts such as Operations ALLIED FORCE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and IRAQI FREEDOM (throughout). Supersedes: AFDD 2-1.3, 27 August 1999 OPR: HQ AFDC/DR Certified by: HQ AFDC/DR (Col Robert Nuanes) Pages: 113 Accessibility: Available on the e-publishing website at www.e-publishing.af.mil for downloading Releasability: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication Approved by: Allen G. Peck, Major General, USAF Commander, Headquarters Air Force Doctrine Center FOREWORD In war, defeating an enemy’s force is often a necessary step on the path to victory. Defeating enemy armies is a difficult task that often comes with a high price tag in terms of blood and treasure. With its inherent speed, range, and flexibility, air and space power offers a way to lower that risk by providing commanders a synergistic tool that can provide a degree of control over the surface environment and render enemy forces ineffective before they meet friendly land forces. Modern air and space power directly affects an adversary's ability to initiate, conduct, and sustain ground combat. Counterland operations dominate the surface environment by crushing an enemy’s ability to fight on land. Through air interdiction, air and space power can divert, disrupt, delay, or destroy enemy military potential before it can be brought to bear against friendly ground forces, and achieve joint force commander objectives independently. Indeed, the devastation wrought on an enemy by air and space power may preclude costly ground combat. When called for, air and space power delivers devastating support to assist friendly ground forces in achieving their objectives. Twenty-first century capabilities regarding precision, information technology, space, intelligence, and command and control increase counterland effectiveness. Modern counterland capabilities can help achieve objectives more efficiently than in the past. This provides commanders a flexible capability that makes other applications of military power more effective and may drive an early end to conflict. When the objective is to destroy an enemy army’s capability to fight, air and space power should always be considered as a first option. Air and space power has inherent, unique advantages in conducting counterland operations, but commanders should recognize they are more effective in conjunction with other forms of military action. In fact, other air and space power functions often complement counterland operations to produce operational level effects to destroy an enemy’s warfighting capability. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-1.3, Counterland Operations, is doctrine for understanding, planning, and executing this crucial air and space power function across the full range of military operations. Air Force personnel need to be able to articulate the rationale for counterland as a valuable warfighting option for the combatant commander. More importantly, Air Force personnel must understand how counterland operations can help enhance military strategies as a tool for defeating our nation’s adversaries. Allen G. Peck Major General, USAF Commander, Headquarters Air Force Doctrine Center TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................... vi FOUNDATIONAL DOCTRINE STATEMENTS ....................................................................viii CHAPTER ONE—Counterland Fundamentals ....................................................................... 1 Definition and Purpose............................................................................................................ 1 Counterland Effects ................................................................................................................. 4 Air Interdiction (AI) and Close Air Support (CAS) ............................................................... 5 AI............................................................................................................................................. 5 CAS ........................................................................................................................................ 6 Types of AI and CAS ........................................................................................................... 7 Derivative Missions Associated with Counterland .......................................................... 8 Joint Considerations ................................................................................................................ 9 Elements of Effective Counterland Operations ................................................................. 11 Air Control............................................................................................................................ 11 Joint Integration and Complementary Operations ........................................................ 12 Appropriate Munitions, Assets, and Allocation .............................................................. 14 Favorable Environmental Factors.................................................................................... 15 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 16 CHAPTER TWO—Air Interdiction ........................................................................................... 17 Definition.................................................................................................................................. 18 Interdiction Objectives ........................................................................................................... 19 Divert .................................................................................................................................... 19 Disrupt.................................................................................................................................. 19 Delay .................................................................................................................................... 20 Destroy................................................................................................................................. 20 Effects of AI............................................................................................................................. 21 Channeling Enemy Movements....................................................................................... 23 Constricting the Enemy’s Logistic System ..................................................................... 23 Disrupting Enemy Communications ................................................................................ 24 Forcing Urgent Movement Upon the Enemy ................................................................. 25 Attrition of the Enemy ........................................................................................................ 25 Types of AI Requests ............................................................................................................ 26 Preplanned .......................................................................................................................... 26 Immediate............................................................................................................................ 27 Elements of Effective AI Operations ................................................................................... 28 Integration with Surface Maneuver.................................................................................. 29 Sustained