Gradual Escalation Bombing: Rolling the Dice in Kosovo
Abstract
NATO's apparent success against Slobodon Milosevich has pundits basking in a supposed breakthrough in the use of military force to conduct what has been termed "The doctrine of immaculate coercion". Their weapon of choice to conduct this type of warfare in Kosovo was the politically feasible strategy of gradual escalation bombing. However, gradual escalation should not be considered a viable strategy because it negates the inherent strengths and tenets of aerospace forces to such a degree that it completely nullifies the benefits airpower brings to the operational factors of time, space, and forces. Furthermore, a gradual escalation strategy exponentially increases the risks inherent in all air operations and actually produces several conflicting dichotomies that can invalidate the reasons some may use to justify its employment. Nevertheless, airmen and their civilian leaders continue to debate the method of U.S. airpower employment in Kosovo and future conflicts. The debate centers on airmen's beliefs that a "classical air campaign" is the quickest and most efficient way to employ aerospace forces, while a gradual escalation strategy unnecessarily risks lives for unpredictable and intangible goals. The Vietnam War produced a general hatred among aviators from all services toward gradual escalation, and even today, professional airmen declare that politicians do not understand proper airpower employment. Politicians retort that airmen do not understand politics. However, it is not simply a matter of political facility.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 08, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA378718
Entities
People
- J. S. Mcpherson
Organizations
- Naval War College