Applying Rapid Decisive Operations: Possibilities for 2010
Abstract
This paper is about responding effectively to future contingencies before facts on the ground get harder and costlier to change. Its focus is on quickly seizing the initiative and maintaining an operational tempo that exceeds the enemy's ability to adapt. To stimulate the capability to seize the initiative, Rapid Decisive Operations (RDO) 2015 explores the synergistic application of air, land, sea, and space capabilities, generating greater impact from a concerted effort than any single force element could achieve on its own. Fostering and enabling synergy's exploitation requires special attention to a 'joint glue' comprising (1) joint command and control; (2) intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) integration; and (3) joint force application. To demonstrate RDO 2015's potential, the paper revisits the Gulf War, Kosovo, Panama, and Somalia contingencies, and explores what might have been possible if RDO 2015's 'joint glue' had been in place at the time. Central to success in the revisited cases are four common enablers: (1) focus early on breaking enemy cohesion, (2) employ standing joint task force (JTF) headquarters, (3) integrate ISR efforts, and (4) exploit air-ground synergy.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA400591
Entities
People
- Karl H. Lowe
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses