Air Interdiction

Air Interdiction

AI is the action to destroy, disrupt, degrade, divert or delay the enemy’s surface potential by targeting fielded enemy ground forces and the infrastructure directly supporting them before they can be used effectively against friendly forces, or otherwise achieve their objectives.
It is carried out at such distance from friendly forces that detailed integration of each air mission with the fire and movement of friendly forces is normally not required.
Thus, it may offer the potential to reduce or even eliminate the requirement for ground combat.

Reference: NATO AJP 3.3, November 2009