The Role of Airpower in Peace Operations.
Abstract
Since the end of the Cold War, Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW) have emerged as a prevalent and important aspect of U.S. military operations. Among these MOOTW, peace operations have proven themselves recurring and costly events. Paralleling this has been the meteoric rise in the importance of tactical airpower. Military proponents of airpower and many politicians now view airpower as a 'low-risk', 'high-return' panacea for all military operations. This essay examines the role of tactical airpower in peace operations. Specifically, it addresses the lack of adequate doctrinal guidance for the operational commander with airpower at his disposal. An examination of the links between the principles of MOOTW and the tenets of airpower reveals that airpower provides the operational commander a versatile and flexible instrument that is often a 'double-edged-sword.' The potentially adverse consequences of a misapplication of airpower, in the politically driven agendas of peace operations, demand that this issue be examined and resolved. Current doctrine must be improved to reduce the definitional gray areas in peace operations. Additionally, current doctrine must provide a basis to address the role of airpower in peace operations. Finally, our training paradigm must change from viewing peace operations as a 'lesser included capability' to one of dedicated peace operations training.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 12, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA307622
Entities
People
- Michael E. Cross
Organizations
- Naval War College