Forced in, Left Out: The Airborne Division in Future Forcible Entry Operations

摘要

Since April 1997, a strategically deployable, airdroppable light armored, directfire system to support our early entry forces no longer exists. The decision to inactivate the 3-73 Armor Battalion and terminate the Armored Gun System has resulted in a shortfall in the capabilities of our rapid deployment contingency forces. While Army leaders acknowledge the requirement for an assault gun to support our early entry forces, they believe that the current and future organic anti-armor assets (IRC, Javelin, Apache, EFOOM, and LOSAT) within the 82 Airborne Division and the XVIII Airborne Corps mitigate the risk. Reflecting concerns over the deficiency in the structure or our rapidly deployable contingency forces and the pace and direction of current and proposed solutions, this monograph attempts to answer the question: Can the Airborne Division conduct forcible entry contingency operations against a 2lst Century threat. Additionally, the study examines the requirement to conduct forcible entry operations based on future threats; determines that light airdroppable armored systems are necessary for forcible entry operations; and lastly, evaluates the stop gap methods being used to offset the lost capabilities of the 3-73 Armor Battalion.