The VII Corps and Operational Art.
Abstract
The immediate goal of this monograph is to determine what contribution VII Corps made to the evolution of operational art in Operation Desert Storm. Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait resulted in Iraq controlling much of the world's proven oil reserves which posed a serious threat to Western interests. The United States defined the political objectives. used joint warfare and decisive force in the Persian Gulf War. The United States sought a military solution consisting of using overwhelming force to protect national interests through the liberation of Kuwait. In a ground conflict that concluded in a rapid victory which lasted 100 hours the military successfully conducted Operation Desert Storm and drove the Iraqi Army out of Kuwait. Iraq lost over half its army. VII Corps role in Operation Desert Storm provides a good basis for examining the contribution it made to operational art VII Corps under the command of LTG Franks had become the largest armored corps ever assembled VII Corps was the main effort for the execution of ARCENT's ground maneuver plan. The question remains to consider what aspects of operational art were developed and extended by VII Corps operations? This monograph pursues the answers to those questions by first defining the characteristics of operational art. The paper then looks at the implications of the strategic environment that may have influenced the VII Corps operations in Desert Storm Next. we look closely at VII Corps and overlay the planning and execution of their operations upon the characteristics of operational art to reach the papers conclusions. The results show that the operational environment will become more and more difficult to operate in. Planners must successfully use the assets they have available to prevail.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 21, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA357181
Entities
People
- Jerome E. Thomas
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College