Fighting the War Above Iraq: Employing Space Forces to Defeat an Insurgency: Wright Flyer Paper No. 24

The 2002 National Security Strategy states that "the struggle against global terrorism . . . will be fought on many fronts." The front currently receiving the greatest attention is the counterinsurgency effort in Iraq. Given this war's importance, the US armed forces must use every tool at their disposal to effectively prosecute this campaign. Can space forces be employed to help fight this and other insurgencies? To answer this question, this book first validates that fighting insurrections is an enduring requirement and therefore worth expending the effort required to change. Next, a review of space (including nearspace) forces' capabilities is provided for background. Three areas of current need in Iraq are then introduced. In each of these, a discussion of historic attempts to solve similar problems ensues, showing the challenges in Iraq are not unique and providing lessons for future operations. Based upon requirements in Iraq and the historical examples, the capabilities space forces can bring to fight rebellions are then highlighted. This books shows that in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and other counterinsurgency operations, space forces will not be "war winners" but can provide crucial support. Specifically, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities can help isolate the battlespace. These systems can also enhance the ability to combat fielded rebels through surveillance, reconnaissance, and communications. Finally, the effects space forces generate can support the government and help strengthen its ability to solve the insurgents' cause. The discussion concludes with specific recommendations to improve performance against this and future insurrections.

Author: Air University Press

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Sep 15, 2012

Number of Pages: 50 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1479324213

ISBN-13: 9781479324217