Operation Desert Deception: Operational Deception in the Ground Campaign
Abstract
This paper examines the operational deception plan that shaped the ground battlefield for Operation Desert Storm to determine the factors that contributed to its successes or failures and draw conclusions for future operational deception planners. Following a description of the deception plan supporting offensive ground operations and of its execution, it reviews the plan against the maxims of the Central Intelligence Agency's Deception Research Program to illustrate the reasons for the results achieved by the plan. It discusses the impact of the media, particularly television, on operational deception, its planning, and execution, and offers arguments for more widespread dissemination of the operation deception concept. It assesses the achievements of the plan, the success of the deception in the west and the adverse impact of the amphibious deception in the east, on the overall operation. It concludes by updating several of the maxims and offers guidance derived from Operation Desert Storm to operational deception planners supporting ground operations. DECEPTION, OPERATIONAL DECEPTION, OPERATION DESERT STORM.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 19, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA253245
Entities
People
- Daniel L. Breitenbach
Organizations
- Naval War College