Air power in the new counterinsurgency era : the strategic importance of USAF advisory and assistance missions / Alan J. Vick ... [and others].

Format:

• Book

Contributor:

• Vick, Alan.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

• Counterinsurgency--United States.
• Counterinsurgency.
• United States.
• Air power--United States.
• Air power.
• United States. Air Force.
• Military assistance, American.
• Military missions.
• World politics--21st century.
• World politics.

Physical Description:

xxiv, 180 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Santa Monica, CA : RAND Corp., 2006.

Summary:

Often treated by Americans as an exceptional form of warfare, insurgency is anything but. Spanning the globe, centuries, and societies, insurgency is quite common. Given the threat insurgency presents to U.S. interests and allies around the world, the importance of counterinsurgency is no surprise. However, history has shown that insurgencies are rarely defeated by outside powers. Rather, the best role for outsiders is an indirect one: training, advising, and equipping the local nation, which must win the war politically and militarily. And while counterinsurgency might seem to be a task most suited to ground forces, air power has much to contribute. These facts combine to suggest that advising, training, and equipping partner air forces will be a key component of U.S. counterinsurgency efforts worldwide. The authors note that, if the Air Force is to participate in these tasks, it will need to make counterinsurgency an institutional priority, developing the capabilities of its personnel both as advisors and trainers and as combatants, as well as developing the necessary institutional support structures.

Contents:

• The Dilemma of Intervention 4
• Purpose and Organization of This Monograph 6
• Chapter 2 The Evolving Insurgency Challenge 7
• Defining Insurgency 8
• Categorizing Insurgencies 12
• Sources of Insurgency 16
• Insurgency and U.S. Security 20
• Chapter 3 The Challenge of Counterinsurgency: Lessons from the Cold War and After 27
• Four Principles 32
• 1 Understand the Adversary 32
• 2 Build State Capacity and Presence 37
• 3 Control the Population 41
• 4 Keep the Use of Force to a Minimum 45
• Chapter 4 Grand Strategy and Counterinsurgency 53
• Assessing Insurgent Threats to U.S. National Security 54
• When Do Insurgencies Threaten U.S. Security Interests? 54
• The Importance of Insurgency and Counterinsurgency in Future U.S. Grand Strategy 57
• Grand Strategies for Small Wars 59
• Differences Between Counterinsurgency and Conventional Military Requirements 59
• Differences Between Counterinsurgency and Conventional Military Strategy 62
• Coercion in Counterinsurgency 64
• Options for Counterinsurgency Intervention 69
• The Diversity of Counterinsurgency 69
• Ideal Types: Precautionary and Remedial Counterinsurgency 70
• Advantages and Limitations of Precautionary Counterinsurgency 72
• Investing in Counterinsurgency Capabilities 74
• Optimizing Military Capabilities for Counterinsurgency 74
• When, How, and Where Will the United States Intervene? 76
• The Roles of Allies in Counterinsurgency 77
• Chapter 5 A New Framework for Understanding and Responding to Insurgencies 81
• The Application of Military Power to Counterinsurgency 81
• Security Cooperation and Foreign Internal Defense 93
• Some Caveats on Early Intervention 100
• The Power and Limitations of Military Assistance: The El Salvador Experience 101
• El Salvador: Lessons for Future Counterinsurgency Operations 107
• Chapter 6 The USAF Role in Countering Insurgencies 109
• The Role of Air Power in Counterinsurgency Operations 109
• How Should We Think About the Role of Air Power in Counterinsurgency? 112
• Limiting Adversary Conventional Options 113
• Balancing Insurgent Advantages 113
• Gaining the Initiative 114
• Current USAF Operational Aviation Advising Activities 115
• 6 SOS History 115
• Mission 117
• Typical Engagements 118
• Squadron Organization 119
• Manning and Training 120
• Trends in Operational Aviation Activity Since 9/11 121
• Estimating Demand for Operational Aviation Advising 126
• Estimating the Personnel Required for Aviation Advising Missions 130
• Applying the Metric: Manpower Requirements for an Illustrative Precautionary Strategy 131
• Expanding and Deepening USAF Capabilities to Counter Insurgencies 132
• Make Counterinsurgency an Institutional Priority 133
• Create Organizations and Processes to Oversee USAF Counterinsurgency Efforts 133
• Develop and Nurture Counterinsurgency Expertise Throughout USAF 135
• Create a Wing-Level Organization for Aviation Advising 136
• Enhance USAF Combat Capabilities for Counterinsurgency 146
• A States Afflicted by Insurgency 153
• B Estimating Manpower Requirements for Advisory Assistance 155.

Notes:

• "MG-509."
• Includes bibliographical references (pages 159-180).

ISBN:

• 0833039636
• 9780833039637

OCLC:

70158424

Publisher Number:

9780833039637