Extracting the Beaten Expeditionary Force: The Margin Between Defeat and Catastrophe

Abstract

This paper examines theater evacuations conducted over significant bodies of water. Extricating any defeated force is difficult; withdrawing the force across a major water body is the special challenge of maritime powers with distant commitments, such as the United States. The monograph focuses on combat force evacuation and does not discuss Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO), a separate and important component of many of today's war plans. The paper concludes by examining implications for future planners of large scale combat evacuations. It considers the effects of modern weapons, air transport, and the evolution of power projection. The minimum requirement to examine evacuation requirements within a theater is emphasized. (KT)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 18, 1989
Accession Number
ADA215562

Entities

People

  • Michael D. Burke

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Boats
  • Employment
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Naval Operations
  • Naval Warfare
  • Navy
  • New York
  • Students
  • Terrain
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Strategic Security Studies