Integrated Defense (ID): Lessons Learned from Joint Base Balad - Iraq War's First Implementation of New Strategy for Air Base Defense in Combat, Patrols, Intelligence Support, Comparison to Vietnam

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. Since the inception of airpower, airmen have struggled with the dilemma of how to protect the capability to fly, fight, and win. "When aircraft are removed from their natural environment of the air and returned to their bases, they become vulnerable, like any bird of prey in its nest. Base defense—defending one's air assets on the ground—is one of the least understood operational aspects of airpower. The current US Air Force (USAF) strategy for defending air bases is integrated defense (ID)— formerly known as air base defense or air base ground defense. This study examines the first full implementation of ID in a combat environment to evaluate the effectiveness of the new strategy in actual operations. The research question is What can be learned from the ID experience? and to take this further, What are important considerations for future operations?

Executive Summary * Introduction and Methodology * Historical Context * Interservice Agreements * Doctrine Development * Integrated Defense - Organizing for success * The Situation * The Organization * 332nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Operations * 532nd Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron Operations * Entry Control Point Operations * Force Protection Patrols * Outside-the-Wire Patrol Mission Planning Techniques * Tactical Security Element Operations * Unique Relationships * Joint Intelligence Support Element * The Threat: Vietnam-Iraq Comparison * Deterring Attacks on Joint Base Balad: Quantitative Analyses * Data Analyses * Examining the Effectiveness of Deterring Attacks on Joint Base Balad * Analytical Difficulties in Analyzing the Joint Base Balad Defense * Lessons Learned * Training * Joint or Command Lines * Equipment * Conclusion: Future Implications * Notes