WS-25 Airpower in the Post Cold War - Know the key events of the Post Cold War Era & the impact of air & space power on the missions of that era.

Question 1

1. List the objectives of the air campaign used in the Gulf War.

Answer 1

a. Isolate & incapacitate Iraqi command structure
b. Win air superiority
c. Destroy nuclear, biological, and chemical capability
d. Eliminate Iraqi offensive military capability
e. Eject Iraqi army from Kuwait

Question 2

2. Identify the four phases of the Air Campaign.

Answer 2

a. Four-Part Campaign: (Phase I-III were completed at same time)
i. Phase I: Strategic Air Campaign
ii. Phase II: Suppression of enemy Air Defenses over Kuwait vicinity
iii. Phase III: Air Attacks on ground forces in Kuwait and vicinity
iv. Phase IV: Ground Operations as Directed

Question 3

3. State the significance of air and space power in the Gulf War.-???

Answer 3

a. Stealth provided the needed edge! This was “the” significant difference maker.

Question 4

4. Give examples of key lessons learned from Operation PROVIDE COMFORT/NORTHERN WATCH and Operation SOUTHERN WATCH.

Answer 4

a. Operation PROVIDE COMFORT/NORTHERN WATCH
i. The need to avoid fratricide
ii. The limitations of airdrops
iii. Host-country tensions
iv. The need for alternate bases
v. Lack of an exit strategy
b. Operation SOUTHERN WATCH
i. Became a test for USAF AEF concept
ii. Quality of life changes needed due to high “Ops-Tempo”
iii. Reorganized Security Forces to specialize in all aspects of force protection