Perceptions of Fighter Strikes: An Investigation into Army and Air Force Officers' Concepts of Close Air Support, Air Interdiction, and Tactical Air Control.

摘要

Due to differences in background and training, Army and Air Force officers view the concepts of close air support, air interdiction, and tactical air control differently. However, the degree of agreement, disagreement, understanding, or misunderstanding of fighter strike concepts has never been ascertained. The thesis lays the foundation for examining those factors. It analyzes various Army and Air Force publications to determine if inconsistencies are prevalent in doctrinal definitions and concepts. The thesis also surveys perceptions held by Army and Air Force officers. Three hypotheses are advanced: (1) Fighter strike concepts are misunderstood by a high percentage of U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force officers, (2) also surveys U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force officers' opinions, attitudes, and knowledge concerning fighter strike concepts, and training. Questionnaires were distributed to 110 Army officers at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and to a similar number of Air Force officers at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. A comprehensive bibliography and survey questionnaire are included.