Projecting Strategic Land Combat Power
Abstract
A wide variety of political, military, social, and economic events illustrates the changes in the global strategic situation over the last four years. The Army understands the scope and depth of these changes and their implications for the future of U.S. national security. It is taking advantage of, and responding to, international and domestic realities which condition the development and use of force. As an institution, the Army is innovating--in concert with the other services--to ensure that our Nation's enduring interests remain secure well into the 21st century. Soviet military capabilities shaped the Army's perspective on joint warfare throughout the Cold War. From 1945 to 1990 we faced a numerically superior, disciplined, offensively oriented political and military adversary. The tremendous quantity of Soviet equipment, coupled with Moscow's drive to achieve technological parity with the West, threatened our interests around the globe, with the primary focus on Central Europe. Euphemistically characterized as a "target-rich environment," massed-armor warfare preoccupied American military thought and action for much of the last forty-five years--two generations of military leaders. Infantry, tank, and artillery units along with battalions, brigades, and divisions rightly had their minds and hands occupied with the job of defeating superior numbers of similar equipment arrayed in a dense combat area. With the notable exception of tactical air support, thoroughly integrated on the World War II pattern established by Pete Quesada and George Patton, joint operations and considerations were, in the minds of many Army commanders, consigned to echelons above corps.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA528724
Entities
People
- Gordon R. Sullivan
Organizations
- National Defense University