The US Army has a problem. Its on the outside looking in when it comes to Air-Sea Battle. Some journalist have tried to paint the Marine Corps with the same brush as the Army...that we're a land force, but that's to be short sighted, naive and foolish. Traditionally the Marine Corps has been part of the Navy and quite honestly it always will be.
The Army needs a dog in the fight and the way in is with its Air Defense Force...I like that name better than Air Defense Artillery because it better covers the functions that it will perform if the concept is followed to its logical conclusion.
The video above gives the best example of how Air Sea Battle is suppose to work when confronted with a missile raid. But whether its a missile raid, air raid or even a ballistic missile launched at an aircraft carrier or amphib, the Army can play a role if its willing to garrison a few islands with our allies...fully fund the ground based interceptor...and integrate the Patriot missile system into the network. Goure over at the Lexington Institute covered it well. A tidbit.
The Army could turn theater air and missile defense into a major future franchise. This means getting rid of the idea that air and missile defenses are a supporting capability for an Army that wants to focus on combined arms maneuver. As ballistic missiles, advanced fighters and long-range precision weapons proliferate, air and missile defense may be one of the most important military missions in the 21st century. To defend valuable territory and people at risk requires being there, forward deployed. In the Asia-Pacific region, air and missile defense could be the shield behind which U.S offensive power, resident largely in the Navy and Air Force, will organize and prepare to deliver a crushing counterattack.I contend that between participating in Air Sea Battle with their Air Defense Force and taking a leading role in Cyber Warfare, the Army will have a major role to play in any conflict in the Pacific. Additionally by de-mechanizing and establishing a few pure Light Infantry Divisions, then they'll also have forces that can deploy quickly by air to assist in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions. Think back to Haiti. The one thing that was needed besides food, water and medical assistance was man power.
The Army has its script. I wonder if they have the leader to read it to the force.
