Editing Military tactics (section)

==Impact of air power==

Beginning in the latter stages of World War I, airpower has brought a significant change to military tactics. World War II saw the development of [[close air support]] which greatly enhanced the effect of ground forces with the use of aerial firepower and improved tactical [[reconnaissance]] and the interdiction of hostile air power. It also made possible the supply of ground forces by air, achieved by the British during the [[Burma Campaign]] but unsuccessful for the Germans at the [[Battle of Stalingrad]]. Following World War II, [[Rotorcraft|rotary-wing aircraft]] had a significant impact on firepower and mobility, comprising a fighting arm in its own right in many armies. Aircraft, particularly those operating at low or medium altitudes, remain vulnerable to ground-based [[Anti-aircraft warfare|air defence systems]] as well as other aircraft.{{sfn|Holmes et al.|2001|p=896}}

[[Paratrooper|Parachute]] and [[Military glider|glider]] operations and rotary-wing aircraft have provided significant mobility to ground forces but the reduced mobility, protection and firepower of troops delivered by air once landed has limited the tactical utility of such vertical envelopment or [[air assault]] operations. This was demonstrated during [[Operation Market Garden]] in September 1944, and during the [[Vietnam War]], in the latter case despite the additional firepower provided by [[Attack helicopter|helicopter gunships]] and the ability quickly to remove casualties, provided by [[aeromedical evacuation]].{{sfn|Holmes et al.|2001|pp=896–897}}