Jointness for the Sake of Jointness in Operation 'URGENT FURY'
Abstract
This paper analyzes the use of multi-Service forces to project U.S. Power. It reviews the use of all four Services during contingency operations in Lebanon in 1958, the Dominican Republic in 1965, and in particular, the Grenada rescue operation in 1983. Of primary concern during these operations was the possible inappropriate assignment of forces from Services other than the Navy and Marine Corps that added unnecessary capabilities and therefore, added complexity to the operations. In the aftermath of Operation URGENT FURY in Grenada, there were calls for more jointness. The paper concludes that past employment of the Navy/Marine Corps team and the Air Force/Army team have been extremely successful in most, if not all cases, and that the formation of multi- Service teams consisting of the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marine Corps and Special Operations Forces unnecessarily complicate operations--especially short notice contingency ops. The involvement of too many Services does not create 'teams,' only jointness for the sake of jointness.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA266578
Entities
People
- S. J. Labadie
Organizations
- Naval War College