Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Do We Need "Airminded" Options for Afghanistan? One General Thinks So

Major Gen Charles Dunlap, USAF, posted some personal opinions on the need for "airminded" options in Afghanistan. On the day that the President is outlining his plan to send more "boots on the ground" into harm's way in that mountainous region, these thoughts are well worth examining.

Take a look at Dunlap's opinion about Airminded Options.

1 comment:

jjb said...

I am a Major in the Air Force, I have completed two operational flying deployments in southwest Asia, and I am currently attending the Army Command and General Staff Officer Course.

I would respectfully disagree with the idea that the employment of more air options in Afghanistan can reduce the number of ground troops required. In COIN, the enemy lives in and amongst the civilian population we are trying to protect. Increasing the security of the population requires a large physical presence.

U.S. and coalition aircraft are currently flying thousands of missions every day in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the U.S. is using virtually every aircraft type in its inventory.

I would agree that any and all air options should be employed to enhance the effectiveness of COIN and the safety of the ground forces. Most of these options will need to be nonlethal. The use of lethal air options may kill one insurgent while creating ten new ones.