A Critical Examination of Planning Imperatives Applicable to Hostage Rescue Operations
Abstract
This paper will provide the reader a better understanding of specific planning imperatives that must be taken into consideration when planning for military hostage rescue operations. In order to accomplish this, the paper will critically examine four major rescue missions that were attempted or completed between the period November 1970 and April 1980. Operations discussed, in chronological order, include the Son Tay raid (November 1970), the Mayaguez crisis, (May 1975), the Entebbe raid (July 1976), and the Iranian hostage rescue attempt (April 1980). A brief overview of the specifics of each of the four operations will be provided followed by a discussion of hostage rescue operations in general. Based on the historical lessons of success and failure gleaned from the above operations, the paper will identify specific planning imperatives that appear to be common to all such missions. Since the frequency of terrorist and hostage taking incidents appears to be on the increase, the ultimate intent of this paper is to provide future military contingency planners a broad but comprehensive analysis of these imperatives to aid them in their planning task.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA140872
Entities
People
- Richard. F. Brauer Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College