Institutionalizing FAC(A) Doctrine and Training Standards for US Army Rotary Wing Aircraft Pilots

摘要

Today, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the only Department of Defense organization that extensively employs forward air controllers (airborne) FAC(A) to conduct air and ground combat operations. Following a recent joint fires symposium attended by representatives from each service of the Department of Defense, a joint memorandum of agreement (JMOA) was created (see Appendix A), establishing the minimum qualification standards for fixed and rotary wing pilots to become joint FAC(A)s. However, the United States Army has yet to establish policies that support the development of FAC(A) doctrine or training standards for their rotary wing aircraft pilots. Until then, ground combat commanders will continue to endure the consequences of not employing FAC(A) to support their ground schemes of maneuver. The United States Army must institute FAC(A) doctrine and training standards to provide ground commanders with an increased ability to shape the battlespace, to employ combined arms, and to maintain operational flexibility.