Personnel Recovery is not CSAR
Abstract
Personnel recovery (PR) and combat search and rescue (CSAR) are sometimes thought to be synonymous. This view evolved due to a historical association with aircrew, but these conditions are no longer valid in a modern asymmetric environment. The capture and subsequent execution of hostages by insurgents and criminal elements in Iraq demonstrates that U.S. and coalition forces cannot afford to consider this form of terrorism an aberration. Kidnapping and hostage-taking are on the rise in many areas of potential interest to U.S. forces. Once isolated personnel are captured, intelligence is the only practical means of determining their location. This paper identifies the lineage that personnel recovery shares with CSAR and the influence it continues to have on current PR doctrine; demonstrates that the current, largely CSAR-based doctrine is of limited utility in hostage situations, and demonstrates that current PR doctrine does not adequately address the location of isolated personnel through intelligence means. Finally, this paper draws conclusions and offers recommendations to make joint personnel recovery doctrine more applicable across the full range of personnel recovery situations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 23, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA521777
Entities
People
- M. Scot Seaton
Organizations
- Naval War College