COUNTER Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED) Operations as an Element of Counter Insurgency (COIN): Balancing C-IED Efforts to Support Commander International Security Assistance Force (COMISAF) Operational Objectives
Abstract
The US DoD is rich in resources and ingenuity. Since 2001, U.S. and Coalition Forces have marshaled those assets to support military efforts in Afghanistan. As the Improvised Explosive Device (IED) is so central to the enemy's operational design, defense and industry efforts to counter the IED with technology have been aggressive. The US has spent billions of dollars to mitigate the effects of IEDs and defeat enemy actors who employ them. Counter IED efforts are often tactically successful, save lives and reduce enemy capability. Yet, at the operational and strategic level these efforts have had negligible and possibly detrimental effect. The U.S. must continue C-IED efforts to support combat operations. However, those efforts must be better balanced and integrated in support of Commander, International Security and Assistance Force (COMISAF) operational objectives. This paper examines current C-IED efforts in Afghanistan, their tactical focus on combat operations, and the requirement to better balance those efforts. It examines the potential for achieving that balance across six logical lines of operation (LLOs) to support COIN operations. It ends with recommendations on a way forward that incorporates that balance and integrates all aspects of C-IED into an operational design that supports COMISAF COIN objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 27, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA535553
Entities
People
- George J. Byford
Organizations
- Naval War College