The post Cold-War era has opened the door for the United States to become involved in a myriad of military operations in the execution of our National Security Strategy. As U.S. Army forces continue to conduct a variety of peace support operations and prepare to fight major regional contingency operations, our contingency force must evolve into a fighting force that is operationally capable, strategically deployable, and sustainable. This monograph examines the validity of the air assault division as a strategic contingency force in the year 2010. To analyze the air assault division as a strategic contingency force, this monograph addresses the role of the air assault division, specifically, its mission/purpose, strengths and limitations. It examines the division's operational capabilities, strategic deployability, and the logistics required to conduct contingency operations. All analyses reflect the enhancements of force modernization and projected strategic lift inventories of the year 2010. This monograph concludes that the air assault division will be a viable contingency force in the year 2010. It has the operational reach to strike deep targets to shape operations at the tactical, operational and strategic levels of war. It has a rapid deployment capability that is task organized with sufficient firepower and mobility, so that from an ISB it can conduct forced entry operations or exploit tactical success. It is not a force limited by terrain or obstacles, and has the versatility and lethality to provide a credible SASO force capable of rapid transition into combat operations should deterrence efforts fail. It is a force limited by its ability to strategically deploy, mass combat power, and sustainment of class III, V, and IX supplies. However, these limitations are continuing to decline in significance as the U.S. military continues to improve the strategic deployment capabilities of the C-17, C-5, and FSS fleets, continued modernization of the helicopter fleet, and by incorporating the RML innovations in the logistics system.

ADA 357423 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.)