Petite Guerre: Brigadier General George Cook, Commander of the Department of Arizona, Application of Small War Doctrine Against the Apache 1870-1873.

摘要

In 1871, Brigadier General George Crook, commander of the Department of Arizona, executed a campaign against the Apache Indian that adapted U.S. Army small war doctrine to defeat the ardent Apache. From 1871-1873, Crook applied the tenets of contemporary counter insurgency tactics to achieve operational success. His military campaign in Arizona demonstrates the necessity for a combined civilian military approach to achieve success in low intensity conflicts. The experiences from the Army's campaigns in Arizona demonstrate the enduring requirements needed for military forces to be successful against an irregular adversary. Further, recent lessons in contemporary counter insurgency conflicts against non-state actors continue to demonstrate the need to maintain an adaptive and agile military force capable of defeating an enemy in a complex environment. Over 143 years ago, Brig. Gen. George Crook demonstrated an innovative campaign strategy that combined defeat mechanisms to dislocate, disintegrate, and isolate hostiles with the stability mechanisms to compel and influence the Apache to accept U.S. assimilation efforts.