Effects-Based Operations: Air Power as the Sole Military Instrument of Power, Has it Matured Enough?
Abstract
Effects-Based Operations (EBO) has been a buzzword and a part of Air Force lingo since the overwhelming success of the air campaign in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. Even though EBO was not coined in military operational terms until the last decade of the 20th century, thinking in effects has existed in the military trade for ages. One need only look at the early doctrine of strategic bombing from the Air Corps Tactical School that later evolved into the final American air plan for World War II. The plan, called AWPD-42, stated that the destruction of German military and industrial assets would have the effect of destroying the German war machine. Within the last two decades, technology has reached a level that has shifted the perception of EBO to a more practical utilization than mere thoughts on paper. Air power and technology have always been close, thus it is no surprise that air power advocates embrace the concept of EBO. To the air power advocate, operations like Desert Storm, Deliberate Force, Allied Force (OAF), and Enduring Freedom (OEF) all confirm the effectiveness of air power. This paper examines the role of air power as the military instrument of power when conducting EBO. Has the revolution in military affairs (RMA) enabled air power to achieve second-order effects at the strategic and operational levels on its own? First, the paper discusses how historically air power theorists have advocated an effects-based approach to operations. Second, the paper analyzes OAF and OEF using thought, technology, and organization as areas for critical analysis. Based on the case studies of OAF and OEF, the author concludes that air power is not capable of achieving second-order effects at the strategic and operational levels on its own. Air power is not a military instrument of power to be used alone, but is very dependent on support from other services and branches.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA475651
Entities
People
- Jan G. Kristensen
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College