Military Readiness: Lingering Training and Equipment Issues Hamper Air Support of Ground Forces.

摘要

Recent operations in Afghanistan demonstrated the dangers of providing air support close to troops on the ground. Such close air support requires timely, well practiced procedures and communication between ground and air elements. While most close air support operations in Afghanistan were successful, 'friendly fire' incidents have resulted from mistakes made while conducting the mission. At the request of the Ranking Minority Members of the Subcommittees on Total Force and Readiness, House Committee on Armed Services, GAO reviewed Department of Defense (DOD) efforts to provide adequate close air support training, as well as efforts to enhance the equipment used to support this mission.