FROM DROPPING BOMBS TO BLASTING BITS: ENVISIONING TACTICAL OPERATIONS IN THE INFORMATION ENVIRONMENT BY EMULATING THE EVOLUTION OF AIR-GROUND INTEGRATION

A gap exists in the United States military at the tactical level in organization, capabilities, and authorities to conduct operations in the information environment (OIE). This thesis identifies a potential solution by analyzing and applying lessons learned from air-ground integration: a dimension of warfare that was once a novel concept comparable to modern information, cyber, and space. Air-ground integration evolved from strategic reconnaissance in World War I to modern attack helicopters, hand-launched killer drones, and tactical joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs). Today, JTACs provide the ground commander with an air-ground integration expert at the tactical edge, equipped with lethal and nonlethal capabilities, and who falls under authorities that vary by location and type of operation. The JTAC qualification is recognized across the joint force and NATO and minimizes the number of pilots needed at ground units. This thesis argues that creating an information, cyber, and space equivalent to the JTAC could enable the joint force to more effectively conduct tactical OIE. This multi-domain terminal effects controller (MDTEC) would be jointly certified, qualified, and designated to advise ground commanders on the information environment, employ tactical information tools, and leverage joint information, cyber, and space assets to create effects.
Master Sergeant, United States Marine Corps
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