Integrating Joint Intratheater Airlift Command and Control with the Needs of the Modular Army: A Perspective of Current and Past Nonlinear Operations

The command and control of today's intratheater airlift system, as seen in doctrine and in application, is complicated and conflicted. As the Army continues its transformation to the modular force, requirements for responsive and flexible intratheater airlift have grown. In contrast, existing Joint and Air Force intratheater airlift doctrine does not address these needs, as seen in recent operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Presented in this thesis are two historical case studies of past intratheater airlift efforts: Burma during World War II and the tactical airlift system of Vietnam. Both provide examples of distinct intratheater airlift command and control arrangements with similar attributes called for by Army transformation. Both case studies provide lessons in the application of theater airlift to support ground forces in a nonlinear battlefield. Coupled with identified failings in both doctrine and structure of the current theater distribution system, this thesis identifies requirements of theater airlift if it is to provide effective and efficient support to the modular force. With an understanding of current and past doctrine, structural evolutions of intratheater airlift, and the effects of each system, this thesis concludes with recommended changes to the intratheater airlift command and control structure to meet Army requirements.