Operational Functions to Achieve Synergy between Special Operations and Precision Strike

Abstract

This paper identifies and analyzes the requirements for combatant commanders to effectively combine the capabilities of special operations and precision fires in the context of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). The paper describes the operational functions required from the appointed operational commander and his staff to achieve synergism through the combination of special operations and precision strike. Offensive Counterterrorism (OCT) is a critical part of the United States' national strategy for counterterrorism and it is implicit for operational leaders. Each combatant commander must ensure that organizational systems and methods maximize information technology to achieve rapid decision-making capability, leverage all-source intelligence that is efficiently analyzed, and ensure that networked joint fires assets provide effects timely and precisely without unnecessary collateral damage. Neither special operations nor precision fires alone will achieve the desired results, but their cumulative effect in a balanced combination offers combatant commanders increasingly viable and effective options.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 14, 2005
Accession Number
ADA464996

Entities

People

  • William M. Huff

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Combat Areas
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Command And Control
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of State
  • Information Systems
  • Military Operations
  • Military Organizations
  • National Security
  • Network Centric Warfare
  • Surveillance
  • Terrorism
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies