This monograph addresses how to employ the OA-10 aircraft in the forward air control role in the Airland Battle. The paper defines forward air controlling and close air support, reviews the history of the airborne forward air controller since World War I, and examines the environment faced by an airborne forward air controller in Europe. The capability of the OA-10 to perform this mission and the employment options under consideration are also examined, testing these options against the Army's requirements for close air support. The monograph concludes the OA-10 can perform the airborne forward air control mission, but the role of the airborne forward air controller must be expanded to take advantage of the OA-10's unique capabilities. Neither of the two options under consideration by the United States Air Force does this. Therefore, the Air Force should expand its doctrine concerning forward air controlling if it is going to use the OA-10 as an airborne forward air control aircraft effectively.

ADA 210984 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.)