Expeditionary Air Base Defense
Expeditionary Air Base Defense

Author: Nicholas J. Petren

Publisher:

Published: 2017

Total Pages: 87

ISBN-13:

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"This study is an analysis of expeditionary air base defense in the post-World War II era, focusing on Western military examples, with the goal of informing current and future leaders within the USAF and larger joint military force. The study begins with a brief overview of the contemporary operational environment and likely future trends in the threats to US expeditionary air bases. A concise comparison of USAF air base defense forces from the 1960s and the 2010s follows, highlighting the increase in training quality and competence, and the decrease in organic weapons capability. A series of case studies examines the defense of Dien Bien Phu by the French in 1954, Khe Sanh, Tan Son Nhut, and Bien Hoa by US Forces in the 1964-1972 period, the US coalition at Joint Base Balad during Operation Iraq Freedom, and the NATO coalition at Bastion- Leatherneck-Shorabak during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2004-2012. Analysis of these case studies reveals several themes of expeditionary air base defense in the modern era, including: the pervasive problem of standoff indirect fire attacks; the criticality of a competent and dedicated ground intelligence function, and its conspicuous absence; the importance of supporting fires; and, the tendency to underestimate enemy forces. The paper concludes by arguing that the Department of Defense should persist with and strengthen recent positive changes to Joint Doctrine. The Base Security Zone of expeditionary air bases should be identified as part of a terrain and threat analysis, and used to set the Base Boundary to enable effective base defense operations led by a single commander at the appropriate tactical level. Dedicated intelligence support, effective cross-functional base planning, from site selection to base layout, construction, and operation, and unity of effort and detailed integration of joint forces are critical elements. In the contested environment of possible future high-end conflict, adaptive basing is a necessity, but not the only answer. The USAF needs a Security Forces weapons school, and the strategic narrative battle matters more in the Information Age."--Abstract.

Air Base Defense for the Air Expeditionary Force: More Than Defending the Redline
Air Base Defense for the Air Expeditionary Force: More Than Defending the Redline

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 77

ISBN-13:

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The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) is the wave of the future for the United States Air Force's power projection mission. The Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) is the wave of the future for the United States Air Force's power projection mission. Airpower is most vulnerable on the ground. Thus, air base defense is an integral part of airpower deployments. Bases not only must withstand aerial and ground attacks, but also must sustain concentrated and prolonged activities against the enemy. This must be a particular focus of operations during peace support or crisis situations when force operate from austere and unimproved locations, in small units, or in crowded urban settings and face threats to security from individuals and groups as well as possible military or paramilitary.

Defending Air Bases in an Age of Insurgency
Defending Air Bases in an Age of Insurgency

Author: Shannon Caudill

Publisher: Military Bookshop

Published: 2014-08

Total Pages: 444

ISBN-13: 9781782666851

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This anthology discusses the converging operational issues of air base defense and counterinsurgency. It explores the diverse challenges associated with defending air assets and joint personnel in a counterinsurgency environment. The authors are primarily Air Force officers from security forces, intelligence, and the office of special investigations, but works are included from a US Air Force pilot and a Canadian air force officer. The authors examine lessons from Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts as they relate to securing air bases and sustaining air operations in a high-threat counterinsurgency environment. The essays review the capabilities, doctrine, tactics, and training needed in base defense operations and recommend ways in which to build a strong, synchronized ground defense partnership with joint and combined forces. The authors offer recommendations on the development of combat leaders with the depth of knowledge, tactical and operational skill sets, and counterinsurgency mind set necessary to be effective in the modern asymmetric battlefield.

Air Base Defense
Air Base Defense

Author: Alan J. Vick

Publisher:

Published: 2020-07-15

Total Pages: 159

ISBN-13: 9781977405005

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The gap between the growing cruise and ballistic missile threat to U.S. Air Force bases in Europe and the U.S. capacity and capability to counter the threat is worrisome. This report assesses alternative Air Force courses of action.

Air Base Defense in the Twenty-First Century - Ground Defense Dilemma, Army Air Force, British Royal Air Force and German Luftwaffe in World War II Studies - Korea and Global War on Terrorism Issues
Air Base Defense in the Twenty-First Century - Ground Defense Dilemma, Army Air Force, British Royal Air Force and German Luftwaffe in World War II Studies - Korea and Global War on Terrorism Issues

Author: U. S. Military

Publisher: Independently Published

Published: 2019-04-15

Total Pages: 67

ISBN-13: 9781094729640

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Through its history, the United States Air Force has struggled with the most efficient and effective way to provide for its own air base ground defense. This monograph submits a solution intended to end the debate. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive answer possible, the method used to develop this monograph contains two key aspects. The first of these aspects is a historical study of the Air Force's air base ground defense dilemma. Included is a look at the US Army Air Forces' attempts to solve the problem in World War II. The initial history is followed by a study of the US Air Force's continuing efforts to solve the dilemma starting with a study of air base defense issues in Korea and continuing through the current Global War on Terrorism. The second key aspect is a historical case study of two Air Forces that faced similar issues. The first of these is the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the second is the German Luftwaffe of World War II. Each employed different methodologies and subsequently achieved different results. The results of the analysis contained in this monograph provide a clear answer. To finally solve the air base ground defense problem, the US Air Force will have to accept risk with regards to resource constraints in order to mitigate risk to expeditionary operations. Failure to embrace the capability necessary to engage and defeat threats to deployed airmen and resources in the future will have a direct impact on the US Air Force's ability to sustain global reach and global power in the Twenty-First Century.This compilation includes a reproduction of the 2019 Worldwide Threat Assessment of the U.S. Intelligence Community.At issue is the fact that today's military planners have grown accustomed to American air superiority as a given in the current operating environment. Furthermore, the increasing sister-service reliance on joint fires places air power at a premium. These factors, together with a potential adversary's inability to compete with American airpower, highlight the increasing vulnerability of airpower assets while on the ground. As Italian Army General Giulio Douhet observed in 1921, "It is easier and more effective to destroy the enemy's aerial power by destroying his nests and eggs on the ground than to hunt his flying birds in the air." Subsequently, the need exists to solve the expeditionary base defense problem currently facing the USAF.

Air Base Defense in the Twenty-first Century
Air Base Defense in the Twenty-first Century

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 50

ISBN-13:

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Throughout its history, the United States Air Force has struggled with the most efficient and effective way to provide for its own air base ground defense. This monograph submits a solution intended to end the debate. In an effort to provide the most comprehensive answer possible, the monograph contains two key parts. The first part is a historical study of the Air Force's air base ground defense dilemma, including the U.S. Army Air Forces' attempts to solve the problem in World War II. This history is followed by a discussion of the U.S. Air Force's continuing efforts to solve the dilemma, starting with air base defense issues in Korea and continuing through the current Global War on Terrorism. The second part of the monograph is a historical case study of two Air Forces that faced similar issues: the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and the German Luftwaffe of World War II. Each employed different methodologies and subsequently achieved different results. The results of the analysis contained in this monograph provide a clear answer. To solve the air base ground defense problem, the U.S. Air Force will have to accept risk with regard to resource constraints to mitigate risk to expeditionary operations. Failure to embrace the capability necessary to engage and defeat threats to deployed airmen and resources in the future will have a direct impact on the U.S. Air Force's ability to sustain global reach and global power in the Twenty-First Century.