This study investigates the manning, training, and equipping of the ground liaison teams (GLTs) the United States Army provides to support those United States Air Force (USAF) fighter wings and squadrons with an assigned air-ground support mission. It asserts that the Army has repeatedly overlooked its doctrinal requirements to provide qualified, trained, and properly equipped personnel to perform this critical joint function. The study conducts a historical review of the origins of the Army ground liaison officer (GLO) and details the evolution of GLTs beginning with World War II, through the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. Trend analysis identifies a reoccurring pattern: the recognition of requirements for GLTs during a period of conflict, the late filling of these requirements, the inadequacy of supporting equipment, the identification of similar lessons learned during post-conflict reviews, the reaffirmation of the doctrinal necessity for GLTs, and the perpetual reduction of GLO requirements. The study recommends the standardized manning, training, and equipping of GLTs to replace the disparities which currently exist among the unified commands.

ADA 312168 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)