The Missing CoCom...Who's Fighting the GWOT?
Abstract
To date, all Major Operations within the context of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT) have been fought state-to-state within traditional geography command architecture. Some aspects of the GWOT dealing with precision strikes on remote terrorist facilities demand a degree of persistent surveillance, rapid response, and discriminatory firepower that is beyond the current capability of a theater commander. U.S. Strategic Command (STRATCOM), however, having recently incorporated all functions previously assigned to U.S. Space Command, is uniquely poised to function as a "Global Commander" for this aspect of the GWOT. With unfettered access to military space-based surveillance and communications capabilities, STRATCOM can exercise rapid detection of targets and engagement of precise destructive effects through conventional Global Strike weapons to threaten remote installations. From a perspective of Operational Functions, STRATCOM is capable of acting completely independent of all other Combatant Commanders in this particular role. The relationship between STRATCOM in its GWOT role and traditional theater commanders requires close coordination and communication to ensure that the advantages of both are brought to bear in the roles they are most suited for. Some friction is inevitable in the assignment of missions, mechanical concerns such as air-space and water-space assignments, and impact of Global Strike missions on theater engagement plans. However, supporting a Global Strike platform in a geographic theater offers a regional commander a cooperative relationship with a vast array of capability at STRATCOM's disposal, and brings precious combatant resources to the theater to contribute to other areas of concern. (16 refs.)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 16, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA420150
Entities
People
- Bruce A. Derenski
Organizations
- Naval War College