Operational Design in Counterdrug Operations in the Caribbean: An Analysis.
Abstract
DoD is tasked to support the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDOP) by providing assets for Detection and Monitoring (D&M) operations worldwide. However, D&M efforts have been primarily focused on the Andean region and the Caribbean Basin. The services' force structure and interagency "turf battles" have always limited the scope of operations. Operational success has been elusive while military operating dollars, assets, and personnel bear the brunt of what is arguably a law enforcement action. New concepts of operations are being developed that should be analyzed from the operational art perspective to see if they flow from and can satisfy National Strategy. This Paper provides a summary of the origins of DoD involvement in the war on drugs and what the military's primary contribution is. From this background, the paper explores how counterdrug (CD) operational design builds on National-level guidance to combat the flow of drugs in the Transit and Source zones. The principal elements of operational design, discernible from open source literature, are analyzed with emphasis on maritime and air interdiction CD operations in the Transit Zone. The paper finishes by comparing the deduced operational scheme to the operational concept of Campaign STEEL WEB.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 05, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA363428
Entities
People
- H. A. Ortiz-marty
Organizations
- Naval War College