Air Power and Counterinsurgency: A Strategic Study in Efficiency

摘要

Air Power is a critical commodity that can contribute significantly to counterinsurgency warfare. This type of warfare requires a joint, multinational command and control approach. There are multiple examples of successful COIN air campaigns resulting in the effective and efficient application of this high commodity asset. Due to cultural bias, parochialism and lack of a prioritized air effort across the joint force, duplication of effort and inefficiency exist in today's air power support to the COIN fight. A complete relooking of air support in Iraq and Afghanistan is necessary and a comprehensive approach to all Army and Air Force aviation asset usage should be developed. Improvements could be made, and these would enhance the chances of success in current fights. Also, greater efficiency in the use of air power translates into a better effort in the support of the President's strategic goal of rapidly moving forces into Afghanistan and equipment out of Iraq. These improvements ought to be based on a reexamination of air power in the Iraq and Afghanistan theatres, and ought to aim for a comprehensive approach to all Army and Air Force air asset use.