Support of U.S. Army Special Forces in Expeditionary Warfare
Abstract
The purpose of this monograph is to explore the relationship between the emerging U.S. Army doctrinal concept of expeditionary warfare and logistical support of U.S. Army Special Forces. The first section of the monograph defines expeditionary warfare and the theory behind it, discusses air-land battle doctrine and Task Force Hawk, and explores the role of U.S. Army Special Forces in conducting expeditionary warfare. The second section presents case studies that explore the operational lessons learned from forces involved in expeditionary warfare. The lessons learned from the British military's experience during Operation CORPORATE (i.e., the Falkland Islands War) and the U.S. military's experience in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM (Afghanistan) reveal that the austere operational and logistical environments associated with expeditionary warfare require a logistical system capable of promoting the operational commander's flexibility, rapidly deploying under compressed timelines, and improvising logistical support. From an examination of current U.S. Army Special Forces logistical structures and these lessons learned, the author recommends defining expeditionary warfare as "the rapid deployment of military forces worldwide on short notice to a potentially austere operational and logistical environment to conduct full-spectrum operations across the spectrum of conflict." In addition, he recommends that the next MTOE revision of the Special Forces Battalion Service Detachment include a truck squad with personnel, adoption of an armored version of the U.S. Army's Light Medium Tactical Vehicle, and a return of the ammunition specialist to its force structure. Finally, he recommends a realignment of the Support Brigade (Special Operations) (Airborne) Reserve Component units to the Active Component.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 22, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494092
Entities
People
- Christopher H. Robertson
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College