Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars
review essay by Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Armstrong
Small Wars Journal
Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars (Full PDF Article)
There has been a great deal of debate over the role of air power in counterinsurgency (COIN) campaigns and small wars. This discussion has occurred over a broad range of media, from traditional military journals, to magazines and online hybrids like Small Wars Journal. At times it has been heated and frequently the discussion focuses on the capabilities of today and predictions for tomorrow. However, modern counterinsurgency doctrine and tactics are founded in the many lessons of history. It is time that we reboot the discussion of airpower's role in COIN by doing some reading and adding a consideration of the history. The following are three books that provide students of military affairs with a solid basis of preflight planning" in order to restart the discussion.
Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars (Full PDF Article)
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I know this is pretty late to post a comment on this thread but thought I would give it a try anyway. Thanks for the review essay Ben, the latter two books I had not come across before but will definitely chase them up now. Ben mentions a chapter by Dean in 'Paths of Heaven', this is a text I am fairly familiar with but I don't recall a piece by Dean. I'm using a 1997 edition, is there a later version that includes this?
Flash
Thanks for the nice comments all. Steve, you have added to my reading list. I already have the A-10 book on a list but haven't read it. You are correct "Limits of Airpower" is a good consideration.
I was shooting for three books that include good stories (and are therefore more likely to really be read), that would get people thinking. Dean also has a great chapter in Paths of Heaven on small wars and air power. It is a great text on all elements of airpower history and theory (also from Air University Press and free online). Trust me, the Corum & Johnson book isn't all sunshine and roses for the airpower crowd.
BJ Armstrong
A couple of months ago, I was motivated by comments here about <i>Selous Scouts</i> by Lt. Col. Ron Reid Daly (which was an essentially COIN operation 1973-1980 in Rhodesia) to read the book by obtaining a copy via inter-library loan. (Thank you VMI)
It was extremely interesting. I had never heard about this aspect of the Rhodesian "liberation war". Now, it is but a little know footnote. An amazing account. I recommend the book for any COINdinista.
For support, particularly on their cross-border raids into Zambia and Mozambique, CAS was critical. The workhorse was the Hawker Hunter. A air historian should make an effort to locate some of the personnel (ex-Rhodesia Air Force pilots and staff) from the period, interview, and write a monograph. I would bet many of these veterans are living in South Africa today.
The pilots and staffs' perspective, particularly relating to the command and control process, would be an enlightening historical record. Pretty flaky environment overall but very good results.
Sidebar - the Scouts were inserting 1-2 man reconnaissance teams using HALO tactics from C-47s! These guys would live for 1-2 weeks in the brush on small game and nuts & berries. Lurk'in and watching.
Makes one wonder if there were "unofficial" U.S. SOF observers that passed thru occasionally.
Interesting review essay. I'd add a couple of books to the list, though. Earl Tilford's "Setup" (which seems to have been republished as "Crosswinds" by Texas A&M) or Marc Clodfelter's "The Limits of Airpower" should be considered as cautionary tales of what can happen when doctrine does not match the situation. The Air University put out a book a couple of years back that was put together by A-10 pilots who flew during the Kosovo campaign. Simply titled "A-10s Over Kosovo," it's available as a free download from the AU Press page, and contains some interesting observations that could be useful for future operations and planning. "Bombing to Win" by Robert Pape might also prove useful.