Long-Term Counterinsurgency Strategy: Maximizing Special Operations and Airpower

Abstract

The rapid, decisive campaign conducted against the Taliban by U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) in conjunction with the Northern Alliance and supported by U.S. airpower in the opening phases of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) captured the attention of military professionals throughout the world - allies and potential adversaries alike. Heralded as a template for future military transformation by the most enthusiastic proponents, even the less sanguine observers were forced to acknowledge an impressive synergy and economy of force in the SOF?airpower combination. In this paper, the author will examine the unique suitability of SOF to meet strategic objectives in Afghanistan, explore the synergistic relationship between SOF and airpower, and assess the strategic utility of this combat proven combination in an irregular warfare environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA521982

Entities

People

  • John J. Patterson Vi

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • C4I
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Combat Control Teams
  • Global Positioning Systems
  • Inertial Navigation
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Rotary Wing Aircraft
  • Satellite Guided Weapons
  • Seal Teams
  • Tactical Air Support
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare
  • Weapons Effects

Readers

  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.