A Primer on Fire Support for Joint Special Operations

Abstract

The term 'special operations' immediately brings to mind the image of an unruly band of misfits creating havoc in some small corner of the world. Nothing could be farther from the truth for today's 'quiet professionals.' Their operations will be conducted in support of national policies with carefully developed objectives. Targeting restraints will be the rule rather than the exception, to protect the population from collateral damage. Accordingly, fire support officers will play an increasingly important role planning, coordinating and controlling joint special operations. This study examines the historical relationship between the fire support community and special operations forces, the current arsenal of fire support systems, and the role of the fire support officer in special operations. It is an attempt to understand some of the opportunities and limitations of fighting with fires in the special operations environments.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 15, 1993
Accession Number
ADA264875

Entities

People

  • Gerald E. Cummins Jr

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Aircraft Equipment
  • Aircraft Industry
  • Aircrafts
  • Airframes
  • Artillery
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Fire Control Systems
  • Guided Bombs
  • Howitzers
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Rockets
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Educational Psychology
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.