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Post-Cold War USAF Operations

Post-Cold War USAF Operations. Overview. Background / Lessons Learned Operations PROVIDE COMFORT/ NORTHERN WATCH Operation SOUTHERN WATCH Operations PROVIDE RELIEF / RESTORE HOPE Operation DENY FLIGHT. The Crisis in Iraq.

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Post-Cold War USAF Operations

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  1. Post-Cold WarUSAF Operations

  2. Overview • Background / Lessons Learned • Operations PROVIDE COMFORT/ NORTHERN WATCH • Operation SOUTHERN WATCH • Operations PROVIDE RELIEF / RESTORE HOPE • Operation DENY FLIGHT

  3. The Crisis in Iraq • UN Security Council established a “no-fly zone” over northern Iraq to protect the Kurdish people from attacks by Saddam Hussein • Operation PROVIDE COMFORT began on 5 Apr 91 as a humanitarian relief effort to deliver food, clothing, and supplies to Iraq’s Kurdish refugees • C-130s began airdropping supplies on 7 Apr 91 • Lasted approximately eight years and was then replaced by Operation NORTHERN WATCH

  4. The Crisis in IraqLessons Learned - ONW • The need to avoid “Fratricide” • The limitations of airdrops • Host-country tensions • The need for alternate bases • Lack of an “exit strategy”

  5. The Crisis in Iraq • Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW) is a Combined Task Force enforcing the “no-fly zone” below the 33th parallel in southern Iraq • Not an aggression against Iraq – executed as a self-defense measure • Coalition partners include the US, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait • More than 850 Iraqi SAM and AAA fire directed at coalition aircraft • Iraq has violated the “no-fly zone” more than 160 times • More than 150,000 USAF sorties by 1998

  6. “What we’ve effectively done since 1992 is conduct an air occupation of a country…” Gen Fogleman, Jul 1995

  7. The Crisis in IraqLessons Learned - OSW • Became a test for USAF AEF concept in Oct 1995 • Quality of life changes needed due to high “Ops-Tempo” • Reorganized Security Forces

  8. The Crisis in Somalia • In-mid 1992, drought and civil war devastated Somalia • Food supplies became a weapon of war • Operation PROVIDE RELIEF began on 22 Aug 1992 by the US to deliver food to Somali refugees • Military and civilian aircraft used • Over 2,000 sorties, carrying 48,162 metric tons of food

  9. The Crisis in Somalia • Although a humanitarian effort: • 44 American soldiers lost their lives • 175 were injured or wounded • Danger of failure due to warlord interference • Operation RESTORE HOPE • Coalition peacekeeping operation from 9 Dec 92 – 4 May 93 • First test of Rapid Global Mobility from the CONUS

  10. The Crisis in SomaliaLessons Learned • First large scale test of newly formed AMC and the Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC) • Difficulties evolved in the planning, coordinating and managing of the operation • Austere infrastructure of Somalia added to the lack of adequate bases for strategic airlift aircraft

  11. The Crisis in Bosnia • Oct 1992, UN Security Council Resolution 781, established a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. • Operation Deny Flight • Enforced the no-fly zone • Provided close air support to UN troops • Conducted approved air strikes under a "dual-key" command arrangement with the UN • 28 Feb 94, NATO aircraft shot down four warplanes violating the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina • This was the first military engagement ever undertaken by the Alliance.

  12. The Crisis in Bosnia • NATO objectives • Bosnian Serb compliance to cease attacks on Sarajevo and other safe areas • Withdrawal of Bosnian Serb heavy weapons from the total exclusion zone around Sarajevo • Complete freedom of movement for U.N. Forces and personnel, and non-government officials • Unrestricted use of Sarajevo airport

  13. The Crisis in Bosnia • NATO missions of Operation DENY FLIGHT • To conduct aerial monitoring and enforce compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 816 • To provide close air support to UN troops on the ground at the request of, and controlled by, UN forces. • To conduct approved air strikes against designated targets threatening the security of the UN-declared safe areas.

  14. The Crisis in Bosnia • Operation DENY FLIGHT lasted from 12 Apr 1993 to 20 Dec 1995 • Almost 100,000 sorties flown • A formal closure ceremony was held in Vicenza, Italy on 21 Dec 1995 • Forces associated with Operation DENY FLIGHT were then transferred to Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR -- as part of the overall NATO Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR.

  15. The Crisis in BosniaLessons Learned • Lack of doctrine • Tactical air and space power problems • Bases weren’t large enough to accept the contingency surges • Coalition/Joint problems • Technological problems

  16. Summary • Iraq • Operations PROVIDE COMFORT / NORTHERN WATCH • Operation SOUTHERN WATCH • Somalia • Operations PROVIDE RELIEF/RESTORE HOPE • Bosnia • Operation DENY FLIGHT

  17. Don’t repeat the past!AIRPOWER!!!!!

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