The Air Force and the War on Terror

Abstract

This paper identifies shortfalls in the current Air Force mission and the employment of Airmen in the prosecution of the Global War on Terrorism and counterinsurgency. As relevant background, it examines the roots of terrorism, showing that the insurgency is global in character and that terrorist organizations are employing insurgency strategies, specifically those of Mao Tse-Tung. Because global terrorism is an insurgency, U.S. leaders have adapted national strategies focused on counterinsurgency. Based on the assumption that this strategic approach is viable, this paper will identify key war fighting requirements for the Air Force and use them as the baseline for identifying readiness shortfalls. Finally, the paper will offer some general recommendations for improving the Air Force's readiness to fight terrorism and insurgency.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 08, 2006
Accession Number
ADA449641

Entities

People

  • Thomas A. Byrge Jr.

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Personnel
  • Air Power
  • Aircrafts
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Doctrine
  • Education
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Military Education
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Prompt Global Strike
  • Tanker Aircraft
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Sociology

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies