A Concept for Future Military Operations on Urbanized Terrain.
Abstract
Traditionally, military planners have viewed cities as "centers of gravity." Cities are population centers, transportation hubs, seats of government, sources of wealth, centers for industry, and key nodes for communication and information networks. These characteristics are likely to remain as important in the future as they have been throughout history, and will perhaps grow even more important as human society becomes increasingly reliant upon the technologies which are the trademark of city life. It is thus evident that, as urbanization increases, the military significance of cities will likewise increase. By their nature as focal points of population, commerce, and government, cities are likely points of interface between US interests and the interests of foreign governments or non-state entities. In the still-emerging post-Cold War international security environment, cities have proven to be a locus for US military intervention. American forces have conducted major operations in Panama City, Port-Au-Prince, and Mogadishu, and noncombatant evacuation operations in Tirana, Kinshasa, Monrovia, and Freetown. Clearly, the likelihood is high that in the future, the National Command Authorities will again commit Marines to missions in urban areas.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA365581
Entities
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command