Air Base Ground Defense: Key Issues for the 1990's

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Air Base Ground Defense: Key Issues for the 1990's

J. H. Mumma / J. C. Riordan

This paper examines current issues affecting the implementation of the historic 1984 Army and Air Force Joint Memorandum regarding the defense of air bases from ground attack. The availability of US Army military police forces for dedicated Air Base Ground Defense is explored, as is the promised transfer of spaces from the Air Force to the Army. The need for enhanced security police training for the air base ground defense mission is underlined, as are serious deficiencies in command and control of air base ground defense forces. Ambiguities in intelligence support for air base ground defense operations are highlighted, as are shortfalls in indirect fire support for these same operations. A series of recommendations for air base ground defense planning staffs are proposed as an agenda for the success for these programs in the 1990's.