Damage Control: Leveraging Crisis Communications for Operational Effect
Abstract
Despite the lopsided nature of contemporary air operations in combat against Islamo-fascism, the enemy has gained a measure of protection from air attack by savvy utilization of Information Operations. This protection is due to a concerted propaganda effort to discourage coalition air forces from utilizing a valuable weapon: air power in all its forms. In considering methods to ensure freedom to employ friendly air and space power, this paper examines three classic enemy Information Operations attacks: the Monte Cassino Abbey bombing during World War II, the Chinese Embassy bombing in Belgrade during Operation ALLIED FORCE, and the accidental bombing of civilians interspersed with terrorists in Azizabad, Afghanistan, in 2008. Taken together, these case studies highlight the importance of Crisis Communications in an overall Strategic Communications plan. Specifically, U.S. operational and strategic leaders must change their lack of acceptance of Crisis Communications as an essential warfighting obligation and adopt a robust education and training program to allow commanders to combat terrorists in this realm of the battlefield.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 31, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA494330
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Gebara
Organizations
- Naval War College