From the Andes to the Hindu Kush: Columbian Airpower Lessons for Afghanistan

摘要

Airpower is an asymmetric means for the application of government counterinsurgent force against enemies of the state. The high cost of investment in aircraft and the high technology training of maintainers and aircrew make a viable air force a challenge beyond the reach of many economically struggling countries. The United States Government has provided aid to regional and global host nations when the national security interests of both the United States and the host nation aligned. Theory and lessons learned from 100 years of airpower against insurgents aided the development of doctrine. Real-world experience in the building of the Colombian Air Force to fight insurgent and terrorist groups provides insight into the aircraft, personnel, financial and time commitments required to enable host nation success. This monograph compares the provisional plan for the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) to theory, doctrine, and the Colombian experience. The plan for the ANAAC is generally on the correct trajectory. Recommendations center on purposeful training and equipping of the ANAAC for an internally focused, counterinsurgency force.