Deep Battle and Interdiction: Twin Sons of Different Mothers.

: Current Army and Air Force doctrine and emerging Joint doctrine indicate disagreement on the nature, definition, and purpose of attacking the enemy in the area bounded by the Fire Support Coordination Line (FSCL) and the outer limit of the Land Component Commander's (LCC) Area of Operations (AO). This paper will examine the doctrinal background of the Services' disagreement, the contribution of joint doctrine, and finally the impact of the issue on the Joint Force Commander (JFC). The first task is to define the terms used and look at Service and joint doctrine on the subject. Definitions are important since doctrinally the terms depth, deep battle, deep attack, interdiction, and air interdiction are used interchangeably to the confusion of all involved. Second, I will examine the dilemma the JFC has in determining who is responsible for deep battle and interdiction. Finally, I will draw some conclusions and offer recommendations for modifying existing and emerging joint doctrine.