The Taipei Airlift: Operation Vittles as a Framework for Countering a People's Republic of China (PRC) Blockade of Taiwan
Abstract
A Joint Force Commander tasked with countering a People's Republic of China (PRC) total blockade of Taiwan would have a difficult challenge. The PRC has wisely invested in anti-access technologies that make it risky for the United States to conduct operations in their backyard. Sustaining the island would be difficult, but certainly not impossible. This paper examines a potential solution to the problem by analyzing Operation Vittles, commonly known as the Berlin Airlift. In the Berlin Airlift, the western allies used the operational factors of space and force to allow time for the will of the population of West Berlin to continue its resistance. The same principle holds true in the aforementioned Taiwan scenario. The lessons learned from Berlin are applied to the design of an operation to sustain Taiwan in a crisis scenario through the use of a civilian airlift capability. This strategy is designed to place the PRC in a position where it is forced to either take the first shot, and risk loss of legitimacy on the world stage, or de-escalate the situation for a political settlement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 24, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA484439
Entities
People
- Christopher Hulitt
Organizations
- Naval War College