The Time is Now

The Air Liaison Officer has been a foundational concept in combined Air Force-Army operations since World War II. Over 300 aviators from combat units currently spend an assignment working in an Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS), facilitating Close Air Support operations at upper Army organizational levels. However, the cost of this current ALO force structure in dollars, flying experience levels, and readiness has increased significantly in recent years. Detrimental impacts are being felt throughout the Combat Air Forces (CAF). The temporary nature of ALO duty also causes considerable continuity, morale, and professionalism issues within the ALO ranks themselves. Finally, the permanent enlisted terminal air controller structure that provides the backbone of the combat capability of the ASOS suffers from a dearth of motivated, knowledgeable officers that can mentor and train the enlisted force and serve as a career advocate to the Air Force at large.