Striking a Balance: Force Protection and Military Presence, Beirut, October 1983

Abstract

The 1983 Beirut bombing marks a turning point for military commanders who must now continually assess force protection measures while involved in Stability and Support Operations (SASO). Since 1983, the United States military has participated in numerous SASO missions similar to the operation in Beirut, Lebanon. These operations have ranged from humanitarian assistance to peace enforcement operations, and have often included combat operations. The Beirut bombing continues to significantly affect the force protection measures that military commanders employ while on SASO missions. A military commander's force protection posture directly impacts local cultural integration, unit morale, and his ability to effectively accomplish the assigned mission. In Beirut the mission dictated the force protection posture, in Haiti the force protection posture influenced the mission. Over-emphasis of force protection by commanders continually generates dialog about the proper and reasonable application of force protection measures. Political leaders, military leaders and the American public cannot suffer the consequences of "another Beirut." By revisiting the 1982 deployment of Marines to Lebanon and assessing the internal and external factors facing the military commanders on the ground in Beirut, military commanders today can gain valuable insights on force protection issues. This case study analyzes a situation where a progression of external and internal factors provided terrorists with an unprecedented target amidst an extremely chaotic environment. A thorough assessment of the internal and external factors confronting the MAU and BLT commanders will demonstrate that force protection measures are the responsibility of both military and civilian leaders. Diplomats and military leaders (at all levels) determine conditions for force protection success.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2001
Accession Number
ADA391840

Entities

People

  • Michael P. Mahaney

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Agreements
  • Civil War
  • Combat Operations
  • Congress
  • Department Of Defense
  • Employment
  • Force Protection
  • Military Operations
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Security
  • Terrorists
  • United States
  • Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.