| Description |
1 online resource (xi, 60 pages) : illustrations, maps |
| Series |
MR / Rand Corporation ; MR-1408-AF |
|
MR (Series) ; MR-1408-AF
|
| Contents |
Introduction -- U.S. Air Ground Operations Against the Ho Chi Minh Trail, 1966-1972 -- Coalition Scud-Hunting in Iraq, 1991 -- Conclusions and Implications for Future Operations -- Appendix: Supplementary Materials |
| Summary |
In the Vietnam War and the Persian Gulf conflict, special operations forces (SOF) conducted reconnaissance operations to locate hidden targets when political and other considerations prevented the deployment of conventional ground units and air power alone was unable to locate and eliminate elusive objectives. In Vietnam, SOF teams crossed the border into Laos to search for truck parks, storage depots, and other assets along the Ho Chi Minh Trail that were obscured by jungle canopy and camouflage. In western Iraq, British and American SOF patrolled vast areas searching for mobile Scud launchers. In both cases, the nature of the terrain combined with adversary countermeasures made it extremely difficult for ground teams to achieve their objectives. There are a number of implications for future operations. Although new technology, such as mini- and micro-unmanned aerial vehicles, may make it easier to teams to reconnoiter wide areas, using SOF in this fashion is unlikely to achieve U.S. objectives. Concerns about casualties and prisoners of war are likely to limit the use of SOF to the most vital national interests. However, unattended ground sensors could play an enhanced role in future operations. Although most will be delivered by air, some will require hand emplacement in difficult enemy terrain, a mission well suited to SOF. SOF in a battle damage assessment role could help ensure that critical targets have been destroyed. Finally, SOF might disable, destroy, or recover nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons |
| Notes |
"Prepared for the United States Air Force." |
|
"MR-1408-AF"--Page 4 of cover |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 55-60) |
| Notes |
Sponsored by the United States Air Force. F49642-01-C-0003 |
|
English |
|
Print version record |
| Subject |
Bombing, Aerial -- United States
|
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Special forces (Military science) -- United States.
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Military reconnaissance.
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Aerial operations, American.
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Vietnam War, 1961-1975 -- Reconnaissance operations
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Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Aerial operations
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Persian Gulf War, 1991 -- Reconnaissance operations
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Ballistic missiles -- Iraq
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HISTORY -- Military -- Strategy.
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POLITICAL SCIENCE -- Political Freedom.
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Ballistic missiles
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Bombing, Aerial
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Military operations, Aerial
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Military operations, Aerial -- American
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Military reconnaissance
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Special forces (Military science)
|
| SUBJECT |
Ho Chi Minh Trail. http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh92006526
|
| Subject |
Asia -- Ho Chi Minh Trail
|
|
Iraq
|
|
United States
|
| Form |
Electronic book
|
| Author |
United States. Air Force
|
|
Rand Corporation.
|
|
Project Air Force (U.S.)
|
| ISBN |
0833032305 |
|
9780833032300 |
|
