Doomed to Repeat It How the United States Air Force Can Apply History via Counterinsurgency Lessons Learned to Meet Anti-Access/Area Denial Challenges
Abstract
The United States Air Force (USAF) has expended considerable effort over the past eleven years to conduct counterinsurgency (COIN) warfare during Overseas Contingency Operations, and in the process has become a combat-experienced force. Unfortunately, eleven years of COIN have caused certain key skill sets to atrophy within the USAF. Future military operations will demand a force capable of delivering decisive effects against anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) warfare techniques; however, the current USAF force posture is fundamentally misaligned for the emerging threat situation. The tactical problems that define the A2/AD threat are difficult; it is essential the USAF internalize the lessons learned in air, space, and cyberspace and develop tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) to maximize our effectiveness for future military operations. Additionally, budget constraints may make modernization efforts to mitigate A2/AD threats problematic as well. The USAF is expected to execute effectively on night one of any conflict with the weapons systems available; failure to adapt tactics quickly will cost operators heavily. This research follows a problem/solution methodology to determine the applicable lessons learned from past conflicts to adapt to future battlefields. Collection and dissemination of lessons learned from past and current operations adapted to the realities of emerging threats is the key to maximizing the effectiveness of air, space, and cyberspace power in future military operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2012
- Accession Number
- AD1022117
Entities
People
- Jonathan J. Gaustad
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College