An Analysis of Operation Urgent Fury
Abstract
Operation Urgent Fury took place in the Caribbean on a small island called Grenada 70 miles off the coast of Venezuela 25 October 1983. The battle itself was not significant in terms of men and equipment deployed or in the fast that the United States intervened militarily. The United States has intervened militarily in the Caribbean and Latin America many times historically. President Reagan stated there were basically three reasons why the intervention took place: 'First, and of overriding importance, to protect innocent lives; second, to forestall further chaos; third, to assist in the restoration of conditions of law and order and of government institutions to the island of Grenada'. This paper will present a background of the events leading up to the operation and the battle itself. I will then analyze the battle in the context of the Principles of War as stated in AFM 1-1. The adherence to or the deviation from these Principles of War may highlight the areas that succeeded because they were congruent with the principles or succeeded inspite of deviation from the principles. Finally, I will attempt to use this battle as a case study providing some of the answers to the problem of projecting airpower where we do not have existing forward airbases.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA156556
Entities
People
- David T. Rivard
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College