Theater Combat Search and Rescue

This study investigates joint combat search and rescue (CSAR) doctrine and policies to determine if they support Theater CINCs' contingency and war plans. Theater CINCs require viable CSAR capabilities in their areas of operations to prevent adversaries from capturing aircrews who are shot down while responding to crises situations. Rescuing American aircrews before they become POWs prevents an enemy from using them as bargaining pawns during peace negotiations and improves both the aviator's and the public's morale. Joint doctrine entrusts Theater CINCs the responsibility for CSAR in their areas of operation. Theater CINCs presently lack adequate CSAR capabilities because they rely on the services to provide personnel, organizations, and equipment during contingency operations and war. Unfortunately, the services have let their CSAR capabilities atrophy since the end of the Vietnam War. Six CSAR alternatives are evaluated. The preferred alternative is still the current joint doctrine described in various Joint Chiefs of Staff doctrine. This alternative provides enough CSAR assets to support Theater CINCs' air, sea, land, and special operations campaign plans. The study recommends that Theater CINCs place CSAR as one of their top priorities and pressure JCS to force the services to improve their CSAR capabilities.