TACTICAL AIR NAVIGATION

Elmer M. Lipsey

Peer Reviewed

Abstract:	INTRODUCTION IN TODAY’S COMPLEX international situation military operations cannot be separated into the alternatives of peace or total war. To be prepared for any emergency which m&y arise, the United States maintains powerful tactical forces. Two characteristics of these forces are high fire-power and high tactical maneuverability,. Tactical military operations involve the use of air forces, armored forces, highly mobile Airborne infantry, counter-insurgency forces, and missile support groups. Often a “Front Line” cannot be clearly defined, and the battle consists of a series of encounters between many isolat,ed units, all of which must be controlled, supplied and supported in order to function. One of the purposes of Tactic Air Force is to provide a quick reaction capability which can take control of the air space in a hostile environment and provide: a) Fire Control-precise information as to location of both desired targets and friendly forces. b) Reconnaissance-precise position of enemy build ups, disposition of forces, and terrain mapping. c) Rendezvous control-bot.h for air and ground forces. d) Rescue and recovery. e) Air drops-troop drops and logistic support. f) Close support bombing-bombing in support of ground force movements. g) Interdict,ion-bombing to deprive the enemy of ground support.
Published in:	NAVIGATION: Journal of the Institute of Navigation, Volume 16, Number 3
Pages:	295 - 307
Cite this article:	Lipsey, Elmer M., "TACTICAL AIR NAVIGATION", NAVIGATION: Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 16, No. 3, Fall 1969, pp. 295-307.
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