airspace, as observed in the Russian- Ukraine conflict.


Indirect Fire Protection Capability Battalions


An additional tool in the short-range fight is the development of Indirect Fire Protec- tion Capability (IFPC) units, comprising a total end strength of nine battalions. IFPC engages low-level threats, including rockets, artillery, and mortars. SHORAD Soldiers have been integral to the IFPC architecture since the inception of C-RAM with the first deployment to Iraq in 2006. Air defenders from across the ADA enter- prise will staff the upgraded IFPC units.


Four of the nine battalions will report directly to Corps headquarters across the Army, while the remaining five will report to the Multi-Domain Task Forces (MDTFs), which are theater-level assets. The MDTFs offer an interesting dimension for air defenders to consider. Although not air defense specific, these units will provide air defenders with new experi- ences to enhance their Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviors KSBs). With these upgrades and expanded capabilities, the number of assignment locations will also increase, providing Soldiers and their families with more opportunities.


Conclusion


The purpose of this paper was to argue that counterinsurgency and counterter- rorism operations have eroded the skillset and institutional knowledge of today’s SHORAD Soldiers, leaving them unpre- pared for LSCO as they transition from SHORAD to M-SHORAD in an era of proliferating A2/AD technologies that threaten the Army’s ability to achieve air and land dominance. Air Defense forces have not undergone a modernization effort of this scale in over 20 years. From effector development to the platforms they operate on, air defense Soldiers are rapidly be- coming the subject matter experts that commanders across echelons need in their formations.


This paper discussed the challenges of converting from COIN to LSCO, reviewing lessons learned from the Russian-Ukraine conflict and examining the Army’s re- quirements for asserting itself in the


MD-LSCO fight by upgrading its air de- fense capabilities. Another topic discussed was the Army’s attrition rates, both in recruiting and retention and job satis- faction. The inability of the Army to retain air defense talent, due to downsizing in the early 2000s and the operational tempo of the last 20 years, has compelled Officers and Soldiers to seek opportunities else- where to display their talents. As a branch, we must take every measure to retain current M-SHORAD Soldiers and maximize the incorporation of CMF 19 Soldiers. We also examined the modernization of SHORAD to M-SHORAD and the mul- tiple weapon systems accompanying this transformation into the 21st century of warfare.


The Army of 2040 has already enlisted and begun serving their country. While the Army made some short-sighted decisions in reducing air defense, the tactical situ- ation in 2005 dictated the operational needs of the force. The counterterrorism fight focused on winning hearts and minds over the duration of conflict while securing population centers and ensuring the esta- blishment of local government. As a country and as an Army, we have turned the page on COIN and are looking to the future of warfare, and that future is shaping up to be a LSCO fight.


SGM John M. O’Connor is currently serving in the G5 Section of the 10TH Army Air and Missile Defense Command (10TH AAMDC) out of Sembach, Germany. He has served as a Short-Range Air Defense Soldier since 2002 and has deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (x2) and Operation Enduring Freedom (x1). SGM O’Connor is currently enrolled in the Sergeants Major Academy (distance learning class 50).


References Ames, D. (2024). Army names the M- SHORAD after Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient. https://www.army.mil/ article/277291/army_names_the_m_ shorad_after_vietnam_war_medal_ of_honor_recipient Assistant Secretary of the Army. (2024). Army FY 2024 budget Highlights.pdf. https://www.asafm. army.mil/Portals/72/Documents/Budget


Material/2024/pbr/Army FY 2024 Budget Highlights.pdf


Baldor, L. (2024). US Army is slashing thousands of posts in major revamp to prepare for future wars. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/army-cuts -soldiers-recruiting-shortfall-9f2f41cbe- 512f6330ce6008709e3435b


Britzky, H. (2023). America’s Front Line of missile defense is straining under the demand of global threats. CNN. https:// edition.cnn.com/2023/07/02/politics/army -air-defense-russia-ukraine-china/ind ex.html


Bull, G. (2024). ARSTRUC Question. Department of the Army. (2019). Opera- tions (ADP 3-0). https://armypubs.army. mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx- ?PUB_ID=1007357


Feickert, A. (2020). U.S. Army short-range air defense force. Congressional Research Service. https://crsreports.congress.gov/ product/pdf/R/R46463


Gentile, G. P. (2011). A strategy of tactics: Population-centric coin and the Army. https://www.army.mil/article/32362/a_ strategy_of_tactics_population_centric _coin_and_the_army


Greer, J. (2022). LSCO lessons: What the Army should be learning about large- scale combat operations from the Ukraine War. Modern War Institute. https://mwi. westpoint.edu/lsco-lessons-what-the- army-should-be-learning-about-large- scale-combat-operations-from-the- ukraine-war/


Hooker, R. (2022). Major Theater War: Challenges for the U.S. army. AUSA. https://www.ausa.org/publications/major -theater-war-challenges-us-army


Lacdan, J. (2024). Army asks for help in alleviating burden on air and missile defense soldiers. https://www.army.mil/ article/272472/army_asks_for_help_in_ alleviating_burden_on_air _and_mis- sile_defense_soldiers


Walker, C. (2023). US Army Combined Arms Center. Army 2030 Overview.


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