Exploring the Conditions for Decisive Operational Fires

Abstract

This monograph examines several definitions for the operational fires concept, and traces the theoretical underpinnings of operational fires from both Russian operational theory and airpower theories. The monograph then examines historical examples of the decisive use of operational fires. The examples are from 1960 to the present, and include Khe Sanh and Operation Thor in Vietnam, 1968, Operation Linebacker II in Vietnam, 1972, the Yom Kippur War in the Middle East, 1973, and Operation El Dorado Canyon over Libya, 1986. An examination of United States Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Joint doctrine on operational fires then provides the basis for analyzing the conditions under which operational fires are likely to have decisive impact on a campaign or major operation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 26, 1993
Accession Number
ADA274103

Entities

People

  • Thomas A. Kolditz

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Armored Personnel Carriers
  • Artillery
  • Attrition
  • Battle Damage Assessment
  • Bombing
  • Combat Areas
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Damage Assessment
  • Employment
  • Indirect Fire
  • Military Organizations
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies