The Impact of U.S. Air Force Close Air Support of the Army on Joint Doctrine and the Battlefield 1943 - 2003

In American military historiography, the primary focus has often been on strategic bombing, large-scale infantry and armor maneuvers, asymmetrical warfare, the horrors of war, and the romanticized imagery of air-to-air combat. Historians rarely decide to delve into the impact of a specific type of mission and its evolution over time within the broader context of American wars throughout the 20th and early 21st Centuries. However, in an era of rapid technological and doctrinal changes, it is essential for historians to explore which specific missions have had the most significant impact on American military operations. One of the most impactful missions performed by the USAF also happens to be the most understudied and undercelebrated. Close air support (CAS) has been crucial in every American war since WWII. Specifically, large-scale close air support supplied to the United States Army by the Air Force has helped create a unique American-style blitzkrieg, it has saved countless American lives in defense and ambush protection, and it has tied together the services to create a joint fighting structure. Despite its substantial battlefield impact, CAS's significance has often been understated. This research examines the role of CAS in the WWII European Theatre of Operations, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, and the invasions of Iraq and Afghanistan, highlighting its effects on the battlefield and joint doctrinal relationships. The challenges and debates surrounding CAS also shed light on the political dynamics within the DoD and reveal the internal conflicts that hinder the potential effectiveness of the American military. This research argues that, although often overlooked by historians, post-war analysts, and after-action reports, CAS has always been a core mission of the USAF and has profoundly influenced American warfare.