The development of forward air control until the Korean War

Abstract

Forward air control (FAC) has become one of the essential means of close air support (CAS). Various NATO member states use it successfully all around the globe, especially in Afghanistan. The aim of this study paper is to present the long process and multitude of experiments leading to the success of the FAC operations. It presents the FAC's development within the Allied Air Forces (AAF) since the process the execution of FAC tasks in the Second Wolrd War was fairly similar to the procedures used today. The study paper places a special emphasis on the development of the Joint Tactical Air Control (JTAC) groups used also in the Hungarian Defence Force.