Document text
FM 100-20
FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT
OF AIR POWER
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON : 1914
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Paragraph Page
Chapter 1. General.
Section I. Doctrine of command and employment.
Relationship of forces 1 1
Doctrine of employment 2 1
. Command of air power 3 2
n. Military aviation.
General categories 4 2
Types of tactical aviation 5 3
III. Organization.
In a theater of operations fi 4
Of aviation units 7 4
Chapter 2. Air operations.
Section I. General.
Basic tasks 8 6
Basic doctrine of employment 9 6
Air bases 10 8
* n. Strategic air force.
General 11
Missions 12
Composition 13
HI. Tactical air force.
General 14 9
Composition 15 10
Missions 16 10
IV. Air defense command.
General 17 12
Composition 18 12
Tactics and technique 19 13
V. Air service command.
General 20 13
Organization 21 13
Reference 22 14
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington 25, D. C., 21 July 1943.
FM 100-20, Field Service Regulations, Command and Em-
ployment of Air Power, is published for the information and
guidance of all concerned.
[A. G. 300.7 (30 Jun 43). |
BV ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR .'
G. C. MARSHALL,
Official: Chief of Staff.
J. A. TJLIO,
Major General,
The Adjutant General.
Distribution :
Bn and HI (8) , 2-55 (5) .
(For explanation of symbols see FM 21-6.)
n
CO CD CD
COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OF AIR POWER 4-5
b. Aviation directly under command and control of other
commanders. (The Commanding General, Army Air Forces,
has such technical command of this aviation as is necessary
for the control and supervision of training and the supply
and maintenance of equipment peculiar to the Army Air
Forces.) . This category consists of air forces assigned to
theater or task force commanders.
■ 5. Types of Tactical Aviation. — In accordance with the
purpose for which various types of aircraft are ordinarily
employed, tactical aviation is organized, trained, and
equipped to engage in offensive and defensive air operations.
Corresponding to the means with which equipped, tactical
aviation is divided into bombardment, fighter, reconnais-
sance, photographic, and troop-carrier aviation. .
a. Bombardment aviation is the term applied to all air-
craft designed for the air attack of surface objectives, and
the organizations equipped with such aircraft.
b. Fighter aviation is the term applied to all aircraft
designed for offensive air fighting, and the organizations
equipped with such aircraft. (Fighter-bomber aircraft are
fighters modified so that they may attack surface objectives.)
c. Reconnaissance aviation is the term applied to air units
which perform the service of information for military com-
mands. The function of reconnaissance aviation is to secure
information by visual and photographic means and to return
this information for exploitation.
d. Photographic aviation is the term applied to air units
which perform photographic reconnaissance missions be-
yond the responsibilities or capabilities of reconnaissance
aviation and special photogrammetric mapping missions for
engineer topographic troops.
e. Troop carrier (including gliders) is the term applied to
air units which carry parachute troops, airborne troops, and
cargo.
/. The tactics and technique of performing the functions
of air attack, air fighting, and air reconnaissance are set
forth in FM1-10, 1-15, and 1-20. Communication procedure
essential to air force operations is contained in FM 31-35
and FM 1-45,'
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
Section EH
ORGANIZATION
■ 6. In a “Theater of Operations. — In a theater of opera-
tions, there will normally be one air force. This air force
will be organized in accordance with the task it is required
to perform in any particular theater and, therefore, no set
organization of an air force can be prescribed. However,
the normal composition of an air force includes a strategic
air force, a tactical air force, an air defense command, and
an air service command. An air force may also include troop
carrier and photographic aviation.
19 7. Of Aviation Units. — a. Tactical air units of the Army
Air Forces from the smallest to the largest are designated
flight, squadron, group, wing , division, command, and air
_force. The method of assignment and employment of the
air forces necessitates a highly flexible organization within
tactical units.
b. (1) The flight is the basic tactical grouping or unit
of the Army Air Forces and consists of two or more airplanes.
(2) The squadron is the basic administrative and tactical
unit and consists of three or four flights, depending upon
the type of aviation.
(3) The group, composed of three or more squadrons, is
both tactical and administrative ; it contains all the elements
essential for its air operations.
(4) The wing is the next higher unit of the Army Air
Forces and its functions are primarily tactical.
(5) Two or more wings may be combined to form an air
division.
(6) An “air command” may include divisions, wings,
groups, service and auxiliary units, and is both tactical and
administrative.
(7) The air force is the largest tactical unit of the Army
. Air Forces. It may contain a strategic air force, a tactical
air force, an air defense command, and an air service com-
mand. It requires aviation engineer units for the construc-
tion and maintenance of air bases.
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COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OF AIR POWER 7
c. Units are designated according to their primary func-
tions; for example, reconnaissance squadron, fighter group,
bomber wing, air service command.
d. Ordinarily the group is the largest unit of the Army
Air Forces that will operate in the air as a tactical entity
under the command of one individual. Many air operations
are conducted by smaller units. Reconnaissance and photo-
graphic missions, and less frequently bombardment missions',
may be carried out by single airplanes with the required
fighter cover.
e. In addiiton to tactical units, units are organized for
the purpose of maintenance and supply and for facilitating
air operations. These units comprise personnel of the Army
Air Forces and Army Service Forces who are trained for
rendering service for the Army Air Forces. The maintenance
and service units serving an air force are collectively desig-
nated the air service command.
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
CHAPTER 2
AIR OPERATIONS
Paragraphs
Section I. General 8-10
H. Strategic air force 11-13
Ht.. Tactical air force 14-16
IV. Air defense command 17-19
V. Air service command 20-23
Section I
GENERAL
■ 8. Basic Tasks.— The combat operations in which air force
units are engaged are directed toward the accomplishment
of the following basic tasks:
a. Destroy hostile air forces. This will be accomplished
by attacks against aircraft in the air and on the ground,
and against those enemy installations which he requires for
the application of air power.
b. Deny the establishment and destroy existing hostile
bases from which an enemy can conduct operations on land,
sea. or in the air.
c. Operate against hostile land or sea forces, the location
and strength of which are such as to threaten the vital
interests of the United States or its Allies.
d. Wage offensive air warfare against the sources of
strength, military and economic, of the enemies of the United
States and its Allies, in the furtherance of approved war
policies.
e. Operate as a part of the task forces in the conduct of
military operations.
/. Operate in conjunction with or in lieu of naval forces.
■ 9. Basic Doctrine of Employment. — a. A knowledge of the
powers and limitations of military aviation is a prerequisite
to sound employment. Air operations almost invariably
precede the contact of surface forces. The orderly mobiliza-
tion and strategic concentration of the field forces and their
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COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OP AIR POWER
9
ability to advance from their concentration areas in ac-
cordance with the strategical plan of operations depend in
large measure on the success of these early air operations.
b. Air operations in joint Army and Navy operations are
undertaken in furtherance of the strategical and tactical
plan. They include the air operations for which the Army
is responsible under special regulations governing joint
action of the Army and the Navy. The success of such air
operations can be assured only by adequate joint training
and careful joint planning.
c. Complete control of the air can be gained and main-
tained only by total destruction of the enemy’s aviation.
Since this is seldom practicable, counter air force operations
in the theater must be carried on continuously and inten-
sively to gain and maintain air supremacy and to provide
security from hostile air operations.
d. The impracticability of gaining complete control of the
air necessitates the constant maintenance of air defenses to
limit the effectiveness of enemy air operations.
e. In order to obtain flexibility, the operations of the con-
stituent units of a large air force must be closely coordinated.
Flexibility enables air power to be switched quickly from
one objective to another in the theater of operations. Con-
trol of available air power in the theater must be centralized
and command must be exercised through the air force
commander.
f. Experience in combat theaters has proved the require-
ment for centralized control, by the air commander, of
reconnaissance aviation as well as other types of aviation.
Reconnaissance missions must be closely coordinated with
our own fighter activities and are directly influenced by
hostile fighter action. The attachment of a reconnaissance
unit to the corps or smaller ground unit would deprive that
reconnaissance unit of essential operating information and
fighter protection which are readily available to the air
commander only. The information of hostile air activities
gained by the aircraft warning service will be furnished by
the air commander to missions prior to take-off; and when
urgent, to the reconnaissance unit in the air. This central-
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ized control improves operating efficiency of reconnaissance
aviation and limits reconnaissance losses. The Army Air
Forces is responsible for providing the reconnaissance and
photographic missions essential to the success of the ground
forces in each theater of operations. The absence of recon-
naissance units specially trained and equipped for the per-
formance of such missions does not alter this responsibility.
g. When task forces are formed because of isolation by
distance or lack of communication, the doctrine of command
still applies (sec. I, ch. 1) . The task force commander will
command his ground forces through a ground force com-
mander and his air force through an air commander.
■ 10. Air Bases. — Air bases, suitably located, are essential
for the sustained operation of military aviation.
a. Much of the equipment pertaining to aircraft is of a
complex and highly technical nature; its operation requires
highly trained air crews; its maintenance and repair require
mechanics with specialized skill. All aircraft need regular
and frequent care and maintenance. They are vulnerable
to air attack both in flight and on. tbq gj'ound. The fatigue
of air crews and the repair and reserVicing of equipment
and material require all aviation units to operate from air
bases where the necessary facilities are provided for security,
rest, replacement, maintenance, and repair.
b. The essential requirements for base facilities are land-
ing areas, facilities for tactical control and planning, admin-
istration, maintenance, repair and supply, and provisions for
the security of personnel and equipment on the ground.
Aviation engineers are essential for the construction and
maintenance of air bases. Adequate communications for the
control and direction of air operations and for liaison are
required.
Section II
STRATEGIC AIR FORCE
B 11. General. — Strategic air force operations are under-
taken in furtherance of the strategic plans prepared by the
War Department General Staff. The selection of strategic
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COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OF AIR POWER 11-13
objectives is a responsibility of the theater commander. Or-
dinarily, the theater commander will control these air opera-
tions by the assignment of a broad general mission to the
air force commander. The air force commander executes
the assignment by means of a directive to the strategic air
force commander and general supervision of his forces.
■ 12. Missions. — Generally, the aim of the strategic air force
is the defeat of the enemy nation. Missions are selected
which make a maximum contribution to this aim. Objectives
may be found in the vital centers in the enemy’s lines of com-
munication and important establishments in the economic
system of the hostile country. Objectives are selected in ac-
cordance with the ultimate purpose of the strategic plan.
Counter air force operations necessary to neutralize or limit
the power of the enemy’s air forces are of continuing im-
portance. Although normally employed against objectives
listed above, when the action is vital and decisive, the
strategic air force may be joined with the tactical air force
and assigned tactical air force objectives.
25 13. Composition. — The strategic air force is normally com-
prised of heavy bombardment, fighter, and photographic
aviation. Heavy bombardment aviation is the backbone of
the strategic air force. This class of aviation is character-
ized by its ability to carry heavy loads of destructive agents
for great distances. It is also capable of conducting long-
range strategic reconnaissance over land and sea. It relies
upon speed, altitude, defensive fire power, and armor for secu-
rity. Accompanying fighter aviation, where its radius of
action permits, is also used to increase security. Fighter avi-
ation furnishes air defense for bombardment bases. Photo-
graphic aviation performs long range high altitude photo-
graphic missions for the theater, air force, and strategic air
force commanders.
Section III
TACTICAL AIR FORCE
■ 14. General. — a. In a theater of operations where ground
forces are operating, normally there will be a tactical air
force. Modern battle strategy and tactics derive success to
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
the degree that air power, sustained and In mass, is employed
properly by the theater or task force commander.
b. The decision to launch a combined operation and to
wage subsequent offensives is strongly influenced by the quan-
tity and quality of air strength available.
c. Forces must be developed and committed to battle with
overwhelming air components opposing estimated enemy air
capabilities.
d. Tactical air force operations and ground force opera-
tions in the theater or task force will be coordinated by means
of timely planning conferences of pertinent commanders and
staffs, and through the exchange of liaison officers. Air and
ground liaison officers will be officers who are well versed in
air and ground tactics.
e. In modern battle operations, the fighting of land ele-
ments and the general air effort in the theater must be
closely coordinated. The air battle should be won first
whenever other considerations permit (par. 2).
fl 15. Composition.— a. The tactical air force may contain
the following: reconnaissance aviation, light and medium
bombardment units, fighter aviation and an aircraft warn-
ing service. This force does not serve the ground forces
only; it serves the theater. Aviation units must not be
parceled out as the advantage of massed air action and
flexibility will be lost.
b. In a particularly opportune situation (offensive) or a
critical situation (defensive) , a part or a whole of the stra-
tegic air force may be diverted to tactical air force missions.
■ 16. Missions. — a. The mission of the tactical air force
consists of three phases of operations in the following order
of priority:
(1) First priority . — To gain the necessary degree of air
superiority. This will be accomplished by attacks against
aircraft in the air and on the ground, and against those
enemy installations which he requires for the application
of air power.
(2) Second priority . — To prevent the movement of hostile
troops and supplies into the theater of operations or within
the theater.
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I’M 100-20
FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OP AIR POWER
(This manual supersedes FM 1—5, IS Janiinry 1043. Pending revision
of existing War Department implications which are affected by the
publication of KM 100-20. whenever their contents arc in contiict with
the provisions of this manual, these instructions will govern.)
CHAPTER 1
GENERAL
Paragraphs
Section I. Doctrlno of command and employment 1-3
II. Military aviation 4—5
HI. Organization 6-7
Section I
DOCTRINE OF COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT
■ 1. Relationship op Forces. — LAND POWER AND AIR
POWER ARE CO-EQUAL AND INTERDEPENDENT
FORCES; NEITHER IS AN AUXILIARY OF THE OTHER.
8 2. DOCTRINE OF EMPLOYMENT. — THE GAINING OF
AIR SUPERIORITY IS THE FIRST REQUIREMENT FOR
THE SUCCESS OF ANY MAJOR LAND OPERATION. AIR
FORCES MAY BE PROPERLY AND PROFITABLY EM-
PLOYED AGAINST ENEMY SEA POWER, LAND POWER,
AND AIR POWER. HOWEVER, LAND FORCES OPER-
ATING WITHOUT AIR SUPERIORITY MUST TAKE SUCH
EXTENSIVE SECURITY MEASURES AGAINST HOSTILE
AIR ATTACK THAT THEIR MOBILITY AND ABILITY
TO DEFEAT THE ENEMY LAND FORCEES ARE GREATLY
REDUCED. THEREFORE, AIR FORCES MUST BE EM-
PLOYED PRIMARILY AGAINST THE ENEMY’S AIR
FORCES UNTIL AIR SUPERIORITY IS OBTAINED. IN
THIS WAY ONLY CAN DESTRUCTIVE AND DEMORAL-
IZING AIR ATTACKS AGAINST LAND FORCES BE MINI-
MIZED AND THE INHERENT MOBILITY OF MODERN
LAND AND AIR FORCES BE EXPLOITED TO THE
FULLEST.
597412'" — 44
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
H 3. Command of Air Power. — THE INHERENT FLEXI-
BILITY OF AIR POWER. IS ITS GREATEST ASSET.
THIS FLEXIBILITY MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO EMPLOY
THE WHOLE WEIGHT OF THE AVAILABLE AIR POWER
AGAINST SELECTED AREAS IN TURN; SUCH CONCEN-
TRATED USE OF THE AIR STRIKING FORCE IS A BAT-
TLE WINNING FACTOR OF THE FIRST IMPORTANCE.
CONTROL OF AVAILABLE AIR. POWER MUST BE CEN-
TRALIZED AND COMMAND MUST BE EXERCISED
THROUGH THE AIR FORCE COMMANDER IF THIS IN-
HERENT FLEXIBILITY AND ABILITY TO DELIVER A
DECISIVE BLOW ARE TO BE FULLY EXPLOITED.
THEREFORE, THE COMMAND OF AIR AND GROUND
FORCES IN A THEATER OF OPERATIONS WILL BE
VESTED IN THE SUPERIOR COMMANDER CHARGED
WITH THE ACTUAL CONDUCT OF OPERATIONS IN THE
THEATER. WHO WILL EXERCISE COMMAND OF AIR
FORCES THROUGH THE AIR FORCE COMMANDER AND
COMMAND OF GROUND FORCES THROUGH THE
GROUND FORCE COMMANDER. THE SUPERIOR COM-
MANDER WILL NOT ATTACH ARMY AIR FORCES TO
UNITS OF THE GROUND FORCES UNDER HIS COMMAND
EXCEPT WHEN SUCH GROUND FORCE UNITS ARE
OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY OR ARE ISOLATED BY
DISTANCE OR LACK OF COMMUNICATION.
Section II
MILITARY AVIATION
H 4. General Categories. — Aviation of the United States
Army, referred to herein as military aviation, falls into two
general categories as follows:
a. Aviation directly under command and control of the
Commanding General, Army Air Forces. Included in this
category are —
(1) All nontactical elements of the Army Air Forces such
as those used for training, research, development, test, pro-
curement, storage, issue, maintenance, and transport.
(2) All tactical units of the Army Air Forces not assigned
to a theater or task force Commander.
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COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OF AIR POWER
16
(3) Third, priority . — To participate in a combined effort
of the air and ground forces, in the battle area, to gain ob-
jectives on the immediate front of the ground forces.
b. (1) First priority . — The primary aim of the tactical
air force is to obtain and maintain air superiority in the
theater. The first prerequisite for the attainment of air
supremacy is the establishment of a fighter defense and
offense, including RDF (radio direction finder) , QCI (ground
control interception), and other types of radar equipment
essential for the detection of enemy aircraft and control of
our own. While our air superiority is maintained, both the
ground forces and the air force can fight the battle with
little interference by the enemy air. Without this air su-
premacy, the initiative passes to the enemy. Air superiority
is best obtained by the attack on hostile airdromes, the de-
struction of aircraft at rest, and by fighter action in the air.
This is much more effective than any attempt to furnish an
umbrella of fighter aviation over our own troops. At most
an air umbrella is prohibitively expensive and could be
provided only over a small area for a brief period of time.
(2) Second priority . — The disruption of hostile lines of
communication (and at times lines of signal communication) ,
the destruction of supply dumps, installations, and the attack
on hostile troop concentrations in rear areas will cause the
enemy great damage and may decide the battle. This ac-
complishes the “isolation of the battlefield.” If the hostile
force is denied food, ammunition, and reenforcements, ag-
gressive action on the part of our ground forces will cause
him to retire and the immediate objective will be gained.
Massed air action on these targets with well-timed exploita-
tion by ground forces should turn the retirement into rout.
(3) Third priority . — The destruction of selected objectives
in the battle area in furtherance of the combined air-ground
effort, teamwork, mutual understanding, and cooperation are
essential for the success of the combined effort in the battle
area. In order to obtain the necessary close teamwork the
command posts of the Tactical Air Force and of the ground
force concerned should be adjacent or common, at least dur-
ing this phase of operations. Air and ground commanders
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
prqfit greatly from the other’s successes. Airplanes de-
stroyed on an enemy airdrome and iii the air can never
attack our troops. The advance of ground troops often
makes available new airdromes needed by the air force.
Massed air action on the immediate front will pave the way
for an advance. However, in the zone of contact, missions
against hostile units are most difficult to control, are most
expensive, and are, in general, least effective. Targets are
small, well-dispersed, and difficult to locate. In addition,
there is always a considerable chance of striking friendly
forces due to errors in target designation, errors in naviga-
tion, or to the fluidity of the situation. Such missions must
be against targets readily identified from the air, and must
be controlled by phase lines, or bomb safety lines which are
set up and rigidly adhered to by both ground and air units.
Only at critical times are contact zone missions profitable.
Section IV
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
a 17. General. — a. Air defense is the direct defense against
hostile air operations as distinguished from the indirect de-
fense afforded by counter air force operations. Air defense
comprises all other methods designed to prevent, to interfere
with, or to reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action.
b. Air defense is divided into active air defense and passive
air defense.
(1) Active air defense comprises all measures aimed to
destroy or to threaten destruction of hostile aircraft and
their crews in the air. Active air defense is provided by
fighter aircraft, antiaircraft artillery, and small arms fire;
and by obstacles, principally barrage balloons
(2) Passive air defense is provided by dispersion, camou-
flage, blackouts, and other measures which minimize the
effect of hostile air attack.
3 18. Composition. — a. The active air defense means for
any area may include fighter aviation, antiaircraft artillery,
searchlights, barrage balloons and aircraft warning service.
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COMMAND AND EMPLOYMENT OF AIR POWER 18-21
Areas of responsibility for active air defense will be pre-
scribed by the air force commander. Normally, the tactical
air force will be responsible for the active air defense of the
battle area utilizing fighter aircraft and the mobile aircraft
warning service. This mobile aircraft warning service will
include RDF (radio direction finder), GCI (ground control
interception), and other types of radio equipment and warn-
ing facilities essential for the interception of enemy aircraft.
b. When antiaircraft artillery, searchlights, and barrage
balloons operate in the air defense of the same area with
aviation, the efficient exploitation of the special capabilities
of each, and the avoidance of unnecessary losses to friendly
aviation, demand that all be placed under the command of
the air commander responsible for the area. This must be
done.
c. Antiaircraft artillery attached or assigned to ground
forces combat units remain under the command of the ground
force unit commander, as distinguished from the antiaircraft
units assigned to an air commander for the air defense of an
area.
ID 19, Tactics and Technique. — Tactics and technique of air
operations in air defense are covered in FM 1-15.
Section V
AIR SERVICE COMMAND
H 20. General. — The air service command in a theater pro-
vides the logistical framework of the air force. Its func-
tions comprise such activities as procurement, supply, repair,
reclamation, construction, transportation, salvage, and
other services required by the tactical units of an air force.
The air service command provides all repair and mainte-
nance of equipment beyond the responsibility of first and
second echelons of maintenance.
M 21. Organization. — a. All air force service organizations
and installations are under the air service commander’s di-
rect control. These organizations and installations include
air quartermaster, ordnance, signal, chemical, medical, and
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FIELD SERVICE REGULATIONS
engineer depots, and service centers. Where ground force
depots supplying material common to both ground and air
forces are adequate, suitably located, and can be used, such
material should not be handled by an air force depot. Ma-
terial peculiar to the Army Air Forces will normally be
handled only by the Army Air Forces and not by ground or
service force agencies.
b. The service center is a mobile organization provided to
establish and operate the necessary third echelon mainte-
nance, reclamation, and supply points within close support-
ing distance of the combat units. Service centers normally
are set up on the basis of one for each two combat groups.
■ 22. Reference. — The details of organization, functions,
and method of operation of an air service command are con-
tained in Army Air Forces Regulations 65-1.
o
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