Making a Difference with Aviation Foreign Internal Defense

Abstract

This thesis analyzes how U.S. Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (AvFID) proved itself to be a critical component in the successful campaign against the Hukbalahap (i.e., Huks) in the Philippines and against the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) in El Salvador. In addition, the thesis explores how AvFID was employed in Vietnam and why AvFID was not successful there. The overall argument is that airpower was not a decisive factor in the two successful counterinsurgency campaigns examined, however, it certainly played a critical role in quelling both insurgencies. Without U.S. AvFID the air forces in the Philippines and El Salvador would not have been able to employ airpower as effectively as they did. In contrast, Vietnam offers a case study in which AvFID failed. This thesis explores why AvFID failed in Vietnam. Ultimately, the reader should walk away with ideas about how to implement AvFID more effectively. If that is done right, it can help ensure that AvFID makes a significant difference in future counterinsurgency campaigns.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2012
Accession Number
ADA573818

Entities

People

  • Eric M. Carrano

Organizations

  • Naval Postgraduate School

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Asymmetric Warfare
  • Civil War
  • Counterinsurgency
  • Employment
  • Insurgency
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military Organizations
  • Minority Groups
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Political Systems
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • Warfare

Readers

  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Military History
  • Military and Counterinsurgency Studies.