Joint Air Attack Team Tactics Explained

Joint Air Attack Team Tactics (JAATT) was a doctrine,^{[1] [2] [3]} taught by the US military Tactical Air Command "in a combined arms team concept of operations" through TRADOC. The tactic was founded on both the A-10 and the OH-58 aircraft. "Using nap-of-the-earth flying techniques, helicopters can use even small terrain features for concealment. The helicopter-borne Forward Air Controller (FAC) has better survivability than his fixed-wing FAC counterpart, near the forward edge of the battle area."^[4]

Synopsis

General Donn A. Starry at the Combined Arms Center was responsible for the promotion of the doctrine.^[5] During his time at Fort Leavenworth the Center released many instructional films.^[6]

The idea was to "locate, engage and destroy tanks and other armoured vehicles" and was taught from November 1978.^{[7] [8] [9] [10]}

The Rapid Deployment Force (RDF) worked together with TAC through the joint Air-Land Force Applications Agency at Langley Air Force Base, on a variety of projects. The two services continued development and training of JAATT, a team concept that had proved effective in providing Air Force A-10 aircraft and Army attack helicopters a much higher degree of survivability than when each operated independently. The Applications Agency prepared a draft joint counter-air and air defense interim operational concept, and representatives of the two services agreed to a joint operational concept for suppressing enemy air defense.^[11]

The British Army would seem to have adopted these tactics,^[12] especially in conjunction with the American base at RAF Bentwaters.^[13] The husband of US Senator Kelly Ayotte was a key instructor of this doctrine while he served from 1990 with the Massachusetts Air National Guard.^[14]

Notes and References

1. Book: 10.1515/9783110971774.177 . 177. J . International Encyclopedia of Abbreviations and Acronyms in Science and Technology, Part I, A-Z . 2008 . 978-3-598-23515-3 .
2. News: General . The Comptroller . How Well Do The Military Services Perform Jointly In Combat? DOD's Joint Test-And-Evaluation Program Provides Few Credible Answers . GAO/C-PEMD-84-1 . General Accounting Office . 22 February 1984.
3. News: Army Aviation . HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY . July 2015.
4. Kistler . CPT Charles E. III . Tway . MAJ Duane C. . The FAC and The Future ("FAC IT") . Air Land Bulletin . Air Land Sea Space Application (ALSSA) Center . 17 October 1979 . 1979 .
5. Book: Press On! Selected Works of General Donn A. Starry, Volume 1 . September 2009 . Combat Studies Institute Press, US Army Combined Arms Center . Fort Leavenworth KS . 385 .
6. News: Audiovisual Catalog . National Defense University . Armed Forces Staff College, Film Library . 1983 . Norfolk, VA.
7. Book: United States Army Aviation Digest, Volumes 24-25 . June 1978 . U.S. Government Printing Office . 10 .
8. Miller . LTCOL Retsae H. . Air Superiority at the Treetops . Military Review: Professional Journal of the United States Army . March 1979 . LIX . 3 . 2–9 .
9. Book: Smith . MAJ Ross L. . CLOSE AIR SUPPORT - CAN IT SURVIVE THE 80s ? . 8 June 1979 . ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE . Fort Leavenworth KS.
10. Book: Hutchinson . Jim S. . The Aerial Fire Support Team . 8 June 1979 . ARMY COMMAND AND GENERAL STAFF COLLEGE . Fort Leavenworth KS.
11. Book: Department of the Army Historical Summary: FY 1980 . 1983 . Center of Military History, United States Army . Force Development, Doctrine, and Training.
12. News: The Complete MOD Abbreviation Database . 17 March 2023 . Daysack Media.
13. News: 8th Aviation Battalion . 17 March 2023 . usarmygermany.com.
14. News: CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE . S1192 . 1 March 2012.