The Strategic Air Campaign: A Practical Application of Clausewitz's "Center of Gravity"

Abstract

The strategic air campaign in Desert Storm -- employing air forces of the United States Air Force, Navy, Army, Marine Corps, and seven other allied nations -- illustrates a practical application of Clausewitz's "center of gravity" theory. In this essay, the author first examines the concept of a center of gravity -- what it is and why it's useful. Then he examines the theory as it was applied in the Persian Gulf conflict. Finally, he critiques the theory as it was applied to see how well it worked. In his advice from the early 19th century, Carl Von Clausewitz told military leaders to focus on an opponent to locate the single "hub of all power and movement, on which everything depends." This hub, or "center of gravity," is the key to accomplishing one's objectives. What Clausewitz advised is still true: a single center might not always exist, but the search is valuable for focusing the application of military force on worthwhile objectives. What was the "center of gravity" in Iraq during the war in the Persian Gulf? And why, in a general sense, should anyone look for one? The author addresses these questions in this essay.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 07, 1991
Accession Number
ADA437403

Entities

People

  • C. L. Critchlow

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Chemical Weapons
  • Command And Control
  • Governments
  • Gravity
  • National Security
  • New York
  • Persian Gulf
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Security
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons
  • Weapons Of Mass Destruction

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Geodesy
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.