OPDEC: The Operational Commander's Key to Surprise and Victory

Abstract

This paper examines operational deception (OPDEC) as the operational commander's key to achieving surprise and victory. The paper describes what OPDEC is and discusses some important principles for conducting successful deception operations. In the context of those principles, it reviews four highly successful deception cases--the 1956 Sinai Campaign, the 1967 Six Day War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War, and Desert Storm, highlighting significant lessons learned and their relevance for the operational commander today. It then addresses some challenges for the operational commander both in conducting and countering OPDEC. The paper closes with recommendations and conclusions focused on the relevance of OPDEC to the operational commander today.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 17, 1994
Accession Number
ADA283555

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey A. Kwallek

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Cyber
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Amphibious Operations
  • Case Studies
  • Countermeasures
  • Deception
  • Doctrine
  • Human Intelligence
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Education
  • Military Operations
  • Military Science
  • Remotely Piloted Vehicles
  • Second World War
  • Security
  • Students
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies