WS-26 Air and Space Power Today: The Global War on Terrorism

Question 1

1. List the major events leading to initiation of the GWOT.

Answer 1

a. Doctrine of Preemption: Two pronged approach
i. Go after the terrorists
ii. Go after their supporters

Question 2

2. State the objectives of OEF according to the secretary of defense.

Answer 2

a. Make clear to Taliban leaders and supporters that harboring terrorists is unacceptable and carries a price
b. Acquire intelligence to facilitate future operations against al Qaeda and the Taliban regime
c. Develop relationships with groups in Afghanistan that oppose the Taliban regime and the terrorists
d. Make it increasingly difficult for terrorists to use Afghanistan freely as base of operation
e. Alter military balance over time by denying Taliban offensive systems that hamper progress of opposition forces
f. Provide humanitarian relief to Afghans suffering oppressive conditions under Taliban regime

Question 3

3. Explain how air and space power has been used in the GWOT. -???

Answer 3

a. Data Fusion
b. Air-Ground Synergy
c. Space Support to Force Employers
d. Humanitarian Relief and Force Sustainment
e. New Technology

Question 4

4. Identify the emerging military lessons from the GWOT. -???

Answer 4

a. CAOC-CENTCOM Tension – NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER
b. Trend toward centeralized execution
c. Rules-of-Engagement Constraints

Question 5

5. Summarize the US national security lessons being learned from the GWOT.

Answer 5

a. Wars increasingly require all elements of national power
b. Jointness
c. The mission must determine the coalition
d. Defending the US requires prevention and sometimes preemption
e. US must rule out nothing in advance
i. Use every means available to achieve victory
f. Victory in GWOT requires steady pressure on our enemy
g. The new and high tech has not totally replaced the old
h. US must link military operations directly with humanitarian assistance
i. US must not make mistake of believing terrorism is the only threat of the 21st century