Soviet Desant Operations and US Air Base Ground Defense

This study reviews the historical development of the Soviet desant concept and analyzes Soviet capabilities. A similar review and analysis is conducted on the development of the US Air Base Ground Defense concept and current US capabilities. These two sides are then compared to determine whether the US forces are prepared to protect USAF resources against Soviet forces. The parameters of this thesis assume a conventional war. The focus of this study is central Europe, specifically Germany. Soviet covert operations during peacetime are not addressed except for those which might take place right before the outbreak of a general war. The study concludes that the US forces are not adequately trained and equipped to deal with the likely Soviet threats. Soviet forces targeted against air bases have more firepower and mobility than the defenders. Also, joint Army and Air Force base defense doctrine is in a state of flux. Both the Army and Air Force base defense units need more firepower and better equipment, and most of all, the Air Force Security Police units need to be allowed to establish a defensive area off base. To achieve such improvements in air base ground defense capability will necessitate in re-initiation of the cooperative effort which resulted in the 1984 Army and Air Force Chiefs of Staff Memorandum of Agreement broadly setting out cooperative air base ground defense responsibilities. Keywords: Military thesis; Foreign forces military strategy.