Army Aviation and Unified Land Operations: Renewing Army Aviation's Role and Doctrine to Dominate the Third Dimension of Land Warfare

Much has changed in the U.S. Army over the last decade. Transforming to a modular, brigade-centric force included a transition of operating concepts as well. Just as ground maneuver brigades transformed to be more versatile, adaptable, agile, deployable and tailorable, so too, did Army Aviation. The Combat Aviation Brigade embodies many of the lessons learned yet represents many of the same mistakes made throughout the history of Army Aviation. As with previous periods in Army Aviation's history, the Aviation Branch remains disconnected from the rest of the Army's transformation. To optimize for the new operating concept of Unified Land Operations, Aviation Branch must redefine the role and renew the doctrine of Army Aviation in the execution of Decisive Action. Unified Land Operations requires flexibility, adaptability, integration, and a depth that will require a return to centralized, maneuver focused brigade operations and an end to the current operational trends of CABs. Lastly, Army Aviation must assess the current force structure evolution to ensure it truly enables Army Aviation's total contributions to Combined Arms Maneuver (CAM) and Wide Area Security (WAS), and the ability to conduct offensive, defensive and stability or Defense Support to Civil Authority (DSCA) operations.