This monograph analyzes whether the US airborne force is capable of contributing to simultaneous operations on the next battlefield. Specifically, is the airborne force doctrine and organization adequate for employment as an operational maneuver...
In 1939, the U.S. Army had no formal combat formation capable of reaching the battlefield by air. In response to the success of German airborne operations, the U.S. Army formed a small unit of volunteers which was to experiment with airborne...
FM 90-26, Airborne Operations, states, "The strategic mobility of airborne forces permits rapid employment to meet contingencies across the operational continuum anywhere in the world." Arguably, the strategic mobility of the United States Army...
This monograph discusses the complex relationship between intelligence and operational planning from the perspective of a World War II combined and joint operation, Operation Market-Garden. Operation Market-Garden was the largest airborne operation...
Given the focus on the Brigade Combat Team as the Army's primary combat unit, the limited availability of U.S. Air Force airlift assets, and the U.S. Army history of employing predominantly medium sized airborne units, future airborne operations in...
The modernization of the United States airborne forces is long overdue. As the Army transitions from a European-based forward deployed force to a "versatile, deployable and lethal" Army, the role of the airborne forces must increase. Unfortunately,...
This study is concerned only with the landing of airborne fighting forces in an area occupied or controlled by an enemy and with the subsequent tactical commitment of those forces in conventional ground combat. Contents include German airborne...
The study explores the utility of employing airborne forces at the operational level of war in a mid- to high intensity environment. It first examines the theory of airborne warfare and the evolution of the airborne idea from pre-World War II until...
As America's collective memory of the Second World War fades, popular history books and the entertainment industry have filled the knowledge gap with accounts from the European Theater. A resurgence in works focusing on the war in the Pacific has...
The purpose of this monograph is to identify the airborne force role in operational maneuver. Specifically, the monograph attempts to define how airborne forces can contribute to the establishment of a theater of operations or other elements of...
This monograph examines the current state of ground tactical mobility in U.S. airborne forces. Our national leadership is currently reviewing the assignment of roles and missions of the armed forces. Down-sizing will require the Army to employ its...
The purpose of this monograph is to examine how the Army should best structure the logistical elements of its new Airborne Brigade Combat Team (BCT) to support Joint Forcible Entry Operations (JFEO). With the Army’s current focus on becoming a...
This study examines the experiences of the Red Army in World War II and traces Soviet airborne theory and practice both before and since the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. Airborne warfare emerges as an essential part of the high-speed offensive...
The intent of this monograph is to examine whether the airborne division still retains its ability to conduct successful forced-entry missions with the new Light Infantry L-series Table Of Organization & Equipment. In order to arrive at a decision...
This monograph examines the Soviet concept for the operational employment of airborne (parachute) forces and the implications of this threat for NATO planners. As background material the study first examines the pre-World War II evolution of Soviet...
General Matthew B. Ridgway’s astonishing ability to visualize a military campaign matured based on his leader development, the lessons that he learned from failure and from personally mastering operational art. During World War II, Ridgway...
This study investigates the likely optimal force structure for the 82nd Airborne Division in 2010, in light of future doctrinal and strategic requirements. As the United States strategic reserve, the 82nd Airborne Division has a requirement to be...
As the United States transitions towards a national military strategy based on power projection instead of forward deployed armed forces, contingency forces and their capabilities will become increasingly more important. A key capability required...
Since April 1997, a strategically deployable, airdroppable light armored, direct fire 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 1976, Martin Binkin and Jeffrey Record wrote 'Where Does the Marine Corps Go From Here?' Their proposal was that there is no need for an amphibious capability of current magnitude. One alternative proposed was to reduce this capability by...