Strategic Airpower as Operational Fires: Integrating Long-Range Bombers into Campaign Design
Abstract
This monograph seeks to determine under what conditions an operational commander might employ strategic airpower in his campaign design. This journey begins first by exploring the linkage between strategy, operations, and tactics. Next, U.S. Army and Air Force doctrines are compared for terminology and conceptual similarities, with particular emphasis on indivisible airpower and long-range bombers in the role of operational fires. Finally, four historical case studies are analyzed for conditions in which previous commanders have used bombers to facilitate operational maneuver or set battlefield conditions favorable for campaign success. After a careful review of concepts, doctrine, and history, this monograph concludes with six conditions which have integrating bombers into campaign design. These include: (1) A commander's awareness of bomber strengths and weaknesses; (2) A blending of surprise and overwhelming firepower within minimum time and space; (3) Little reaction or response time; (4) Economy of force conditions; (5) Numerical superiority favors the enemy; and (6) bomber impunity to enemy threat.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 29, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA243339
Entities
People
- Jerry D. Garrett
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College