High Profile Special Operations Missions and Timing: Identifying the Culminating Point of Execution.
Abstract
In deciding a course of action for a high-profile special operation, such as a hostage rescue, one assumes that the principles of operational warfare are the most important planning factors. However, a thorough analysis of the operational factors-time, space, and forces (friendly and enemy)-will determine whether to execute the rescue immediately, with little information, or wait until more information is available. The best time to execute a high-profile special operations mission is later in the crisis. A later execution allows for critical mission preparation and planning which presents the best moment to execute a rescue, offering the most opportunity for success. The concept of the culminating point of execution proposes that there is a period in time when a special operation is most likely to succeed. This period presents itself after analyzing time and the following factors; force (the JTF), force (the terrorists), intelligence, and political resolve. The resultant analysis provides the CTJTF commander with the best time to execute the rescue mission with the highest probability of success. This analysis should be instituted into the program of instruction at each services' in-extremis operations courses, providing commanders with the knowledge to best determine when a hostage rescue operation should be executed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA363195
Entities
People
- Ertik A. Nordberg
Organizations
- Naval War College