Synchronization of Air Defense Assets in the Corps Area of Operation: The Corps ADA Brigade Commander's Dilemma

This paper examines the AirLand battle tenet of synchronization and its application to air defense within the corps areas of operations. Specifically, this paper addresses the changes occurring in tactical air defense units at corps and division level and the problems associated with effectively synchronizing these assets. Also examined are the problems inherent with trying to synchronize corps are defense operations with those being conducted in the corps area by agencies outside of corps. These agencies include air defense forces from sister services and echelons above corps (EAC) air defense assets. This monograph first examines an historical example of successfully synchronized air defense operations. The historical example discusses air defense operations immediately following the invasion of Normandy. Next, the new corps air defense organization is examined and its role in the synchronization process explained. Finally, two command and control systems, which could support the corps ADA brigade commander's efforts, are evaluated.