Information Operations: Where Next?
Abstract
This paper addresses the "ownership" of joint information operations (IO) by asking if U.S. Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) is the right combatant commander to coordinate all Department of Defense (DoD) information operations. Doctrine already addresses the issue of combatant commander responsibility for ensuring that IO is planned and executed in the respective commands, but an IO vacuum exists with respect to standardized IO training and integration across the combatant commands. For this reason and others there is a compelling argument for the major responsibility for DoD information operations integration to fall under the control of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM). The paper first explains how USSTRATCOM became the IO integrator for DoD IO. This is followed by the definition of joint IO as found in Joint Publication 3-13. The author then presents four historical examples of IO covering conflicts in four different geographic regions spanning 60 years. The examples include the use of IO during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in the Pacific theater, World War II; during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq; during Operation Noble Anvil in Kosovo, Serbia; and during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. These examples highlight how IO, if successfully implemented, can be a force multiplier and mission enabler. They also shed light on the difficulties and consequences encountered if an IO strategy is not properly implemented. Finally, the command missions of USSTRATCOM and USJFCOM are analyzed to illustrate why USJFCOM is the command most suited to play the major role in the integration and projection of joint IO.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 14, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA464548
Entities
People
- David R. Buchholz
Organizations
- Naval War College