The Future of JIEDDO - The Global C-IED Synchronizer

Abstract

The U.S. was not prepared for the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threat it faced in Afghanistan and Iraq. IED's were the cause of over fifty percent of the U.S. casualties, and emerged as the "weapon of choice" for the enemy. The warfighters were in need of solutions, which the Services were unable to deliver quickly. This precluded the warfighters from being able to exploit the enemies inherent weaknesses. Therefore, the enemy was able to adapt and change their tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTP) faster than the U.S. could respond to defeat the IED threat. As a result, the Department of Defense created an ad hoc organization, Joint IED Defeat Organization (JIEDDO), to circumvent the bureaucratic processes of the Services. Recent reports indicate that JIEDDO and some other counter-IED (CIED) Task Forces are having some success. However, JIEDDO lacks the proper command authority to truly change the outcome on the battlefield. Additionally, evidence suggests that the IED threat has the potential to proliferate beyond Iraq and Afghanistan. This paper examines the IED threat and the genesis of JIEDDO and recommends future command relationships that would better posture the U.S. for the "Long War".

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 31, 2008
Accession Number
ADA494284

Entities

People

  • Vincent T. Clark

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Afghanistan Conflict
  • Air Force
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Department Of Defense
  • Explosive Devices
  • Explosives
  • Improvised Explosive Devices
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Task Forces
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering
  • Systems Analysis and Design