Fatigue and its Effect on Performance in Military Environments
Abstract
"Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict (President George W. Bush, 17 March 2003). My fellow citizens, at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people and to defend the world from grave danger. On my orders, coalition forces have begun striking selected targets of military importance to undermine Saddam Hussein's ability to wage war. These are opening stages of what will be a broad and concerted campaign (President George W. Bush, Address to the Nation, 19 March 2003)." With these words, US President George W. Bush announced to the citizens of the United States that Operation Iraqi Freedom had begun. The campaign commenced with the US Air Force bombing Baghdad and other strategic targets. Shortly thereafter, on Thursday, March 20, US and Allied Coalition Ground Forces crossed the Kuwaiti Iraqi border and began their attack north to Baghdad and other key locations. over the next few days, Coalition aircraft flew between 1500 and 2000 sorties per day, warships launched 500 cruise missiles, and ground troops traveled hundreds of kilometers often meeting fierce resistance along the way. Coalition forces pressed on day and night with little rest. According to the 3rd Infantry Division After Action report (AAr), a senior leader noted that he slept for about half an hour at the assault position and really did not rest again until 24 March. The troops did not rest either. The AAr also stated that another leader recalled that at one point [his] battalion moved only to discover that it had left a battery asleep by the side of the road. reporters embedded with the ground forces and military analysts provided vivid descriptions of the impact of prolonged wakefulness on performance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA487169
Entities
People
- L. G. Shattuck
- N. L. Miller
- P. Matsangas
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School