MCWP 3-23.2, MARINE CORP WARFIGHTING PUBLICATION: DEEP AIR SUPPORT (04-JAN-2001)

MCWP 3-23.2, MARINE CORP WARFIGHTING PUBLICATION: DEEP AIR SUPPORT (04-JAN-2001)., Deep air support (DAS) was first attempted during the closing weeks of World War I when the U.S. Marine Corps Northern Bombing Group dropped 14 tons of bombs behind enemy lines in 1918. During World War 11, offensive air support came into its own as DAS was used extensively in the bombing of enemy air and naval bases. The adoption of "smart bombs" and laser guided weapons such as those utilized during Operation Desert Fox have provided the Marine air-ground task force (MAGTF) with extended operational reach and flexibility and expands its warfighting capability. The MAGTF commander utilizes DAS range, speed, lethality, precision, and ability to focus the convergence of effects in time and space on the desired objective. Marine Corps Warfighting Publication (MCWP) 3-23.2, Deep Air Support, addresses basic DAS tactics, techniques, and procedures. MCWP 3-23.2 complements and expands on the information in MCWP 3-23, Offensive Air Support, by focusing on the details of DAS employment in MAGTF operations.