Where to Draw the Line Between Air and Land Battle

摘要

Since the United States Army acquired its first Wright flyer, soldiers and airmenhave disagreed about the best use for airpower and who should control it. Former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Merrill A. McPeak has suggested a division of battlespace where air component commanders would have responsibility for deep and high battles, while land component commanders would have responsibility for close and rear battles. The contention is over the seam between the Air Force missions of interdiction and close air support. With modification, the Fire Support Coordination Line (FSCL) is an appropriate restrictive control measure to divide component responsibilities for the deep and close battles. Shared air and land component responsibility for designating the FSCL and mutual trust between Services are necessary for future joint operations.