Strategic Significance of Linebacker II: Political, Military and Beyond.

摘要

President Nixon enjoyed a solid reelection victory in 1972. Even so, he faced an imminent cutoff of funds for the Vietnam War, so he needed a decision strategy to end the war in a short period of time. This SRP will describe the instrument of national power he chose to fulfill that objective-the strategic bombing campaign named LINEBACKER II. The campaign illustrates the application of military power to achieve a political goal. This study describes the evolution of U.S. strategy leading up to the campaign, the strategy of the campaign, and the consequences of that strategy. Conducted 30 years ago, LINEBACKER II offers an excellent case study on how the Air Force incorporates historical experience into its air power doctrine. Two opposing interpretations of the success of LINEBACKER II have influenced Air Force Doctrine. The first, or traditional interpretation examines the operation as the example of how air power should have been used throughout the war. This consensus interpretation dominated the Air Force's view of LINEBACKER II until the late 1980s, when more critical or revisionist interpretations began to appear. This study assesses both the traditional and revisionist interpretations of LINEBACKER II. Finally, it examines the doctrinal implications of LINEBACKER II on current doctrine and air operations.