In Search of Jointness: The Air Force Officer as Operational Artist,
Abstract
In this age of modern warfare, joint operations are the rule and not the exception. In virtually any theater of war or theater of operations, it will take the coordinated efforts of two or more service components working jointly to accomplish the strategic goals of United States national policy. At the operational level, a theater commander employs joint military forces to attain objectives that lead directly to accomplishment of these strategic goals. The heart of his planning is the identification of the enemy's operational center of gravity, the source of his strength and power. Consequently, operational art for a theater commander involves the planning and execution of combat operations to destroy the enemy's center of gravity while preserving his own. These operations are synchronized into a series of battles and major operations that represents an overall campaign plan within a theater of operations. The selection of the theater commander and his skill as an operational artist conducting a campaign are major concerns of this monograph. Additionally, the ultimate aim of the paper is to answer this question--at the operational level, should Air Force general officers serve as theater commanders?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 26, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA195455
Entities
People
- Terence L. Gilbert
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College