Operation Corporate: Operational Art and Implications for the Joint Operational Access Concept
Abstract
This paper explores the development of an operational approach to secure the Falkland Islands following the Argentine invasion on 30 March 1982. The Falkland Islands campaign is a case study of operational art and the development of an operational approach by the military leaders of the United Kingdom. Operational movement, force employment, and the influence of national policy decisions all contributed to the modification and adaptation of their campaign plan. This campaign, characterized by joint maritime and land operations in a distributed area of operations, provides a way ahead for the application of operational art in emerging contingencies based on an understanding of the relationships among theory, joint doctrine, and execution of tactical actions. Joint Operational Access Concept (JOAC) precepts and their application during this campaign ensured access during forcible entry operations. JOAC principles focus on the requirement to develop an operational approach along multiple distributed lines of operation, employing precision strikes at operational distance and denying or defeating the enemy's anti-access or area denial capabilities. This historical case study provides a compelling narrative and cautionary tale regarding the implementation of this operational access concept.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 17, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA566546
Entities
People
- Paul A. Olsen
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College