General Patton said: "I don't know what this AGI stuff is, but I want me some of it!" Not really, but he would have said it if he was around today.
AGI seems to be a mystery to a lot of Soldiers. I never understood the problem. I used to be an Infantry guy and I thought I had it figured out. Don't you know how (you should know!) to integrate fires? Artillery? Air Defense? (Well, nobody knows anything about air defense). Engineers? Signal? Same thing.
It's staff coordination! And you've got a staff that is designed to do it. Just like you have a Fire Support Officer, Mr. BCT S-3, you have a Brigade Aviation Officer (BAO). Let him (or make him) do his job.
When the Infantry commander gets a warning order to do something, the Aviator should be peering (lurking) over his shoulder to see how he can help the ground guy do his business. From the beginning of the mission planning process to the consolidation on the objective and beyond, aviation should be helping the ground guy get his mission accomplished in the most effective way. Aviation should not sit back and wait to be asked, it should "sell" the product every step of the way.
Most important: Aviation exists to support the guy on the ground. Bottom line.
Attach yourself to the ground guy like you're his RTO! Don't let him plan anything (well, you don't own him) unless you have a chance to offer ideas and assistance - within your capabilities. Some guys willl ask you for everything. That's okay, even though you can't provide unlimited resources. But he needs to know you are trying to get him absolutely as much Aviation power as is available.
Well, that got serious. Time to go watch "The Walking Dead" or something.
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