Between Iraq and a Hard Place: Fighting Guerrilla Warfare in the Air
Abstract
The US enforces its will on other nations through air dominance. Since a would-be adversary cannot challenge the US in the air by traditional means, that adversary will adopt a non-traditional "guerrilla" style air campaign. The guerrilla believes that "to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself'. The US imposes dominance directly, indirectly, and through the threat of dominance. The guerrilla phases of gathering strength, challenging indirectly, and resorting to direct combat will use any means of electronic, ground and air order of battles. Its purpose is to achieve small victories that will force a reevaluation of political objectives. The threat of guerrilla warfare in the air is real and exists today. The US should prepare and shape the National Military Strategy accordingly. History suggests the kinds of wars the US will face will be conditioned by the very superiority possesses. An indirect strategy of guerrilla warfare in the air is a very real alternative to those with limited means and the will to resist.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA406947
Entities
People
- Gary C. Webb
Organizations
- Air War College