Command and Control and Communications Lessons Learned: Iranian Rescue, Falklands Conflict, Grenada Invasion, Libya Raid

Abstract

Over the past decade, four separate and distinct significant military actions were conducted by the United States: the Iran hostage rescue attempt, the Falklands conflict, the Grenade invasion, and the Libya raid. In each case, a post-action analysis was performed to identify lessons learned. This paper reviews the four operations, identifies the lessons, and then assesses the claim that the United States military establishment has learned from them. The focus of the analysis on is command, control, and communications. Specifically, it provides a brief summary of the actual operation, describes the C3 structure used, and highlights the lessons learned. It clearly points out that essentially the same lessons continue to occur in each operation. As a result, it concludes that the military does not do a very good job of institutionalizing of transferring the experiences gained from one operation to subsequent operations. Recommendations are not included, but the implication is that there is an urgent need to institutionalize military experiences and lessons so the same mistakes are not consistently repeated. (FR)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1988
Accession Number
ADA202091

Entities

People

  • Stephan E. Anno
  • William E. Einspahr

Organizations

  • Air War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Airframes
  • Combat Operations
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Aircraft
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Operations Security
  • Students
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • Transport Aircraft
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Nuclear Non-Proliferation and International Security

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control