SPECIAL OPERATIONS:  AIRPOWER ASPECTS
OTS Topic

Do the Special Operations live up to their role in airpower support?

February 2011

Compiled by Bibliography Branch
Muir S. Fairchild Research Information Center
Maxwell AFB, AL

Contents

• Internet Resources
• Books
• Documents
• Periodicals

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All sites listed were last accessed on February 7, 2011.

Books

A-10s over Kosovo:  The Victory of Airpower over a Fielded Army as Told by Those Airmen Who Fought in Operation Allied Force, edited by Christopher E. Haave and Phil M. Haun.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, 2003.  332 p.
The book provides legitimate insight into an air war at the tactical level and the airpower that helped convince the Serbian president, Slobodan Milosevic, to capitulate.
Also available online at:  http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/Haun_A10_Over_Kosovo.pdf
Book call no.:  949.7103 A111

Chun, Clayton K. S.  Aerospace Power in the Twenty-First Century:  A Basic Primer.  Colorado Springs, CO, Maxwell Air Force Base, AL, U.S. Air Force Academy in cooperation with Air University Press, 2001.  337 p. 
Also available online at:  http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/Chun_Aerospace_Primer.pdf
Book call no.:  358.400973 C559a

Corum, James S. and Johnson, Wray R.  Airpower in Small Wars:  Fighting Insurgents and Terrorists.  Lawrence, KS, University Press of Kansas, 2003.  507 p.
Book call no.:  358.4 C831a

Lambeth, Benjamin S.  Air Power Against Terror:  America’s Conduct of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Santa Monica, CA, RAND Corp, 2005.  411 p.
Details the initial U.S. military response to the terrorist attacks of September 11, namely, the destruction of al Qaeda’s terrorist infrastructure and the removal of the ruling Taliban regime in Afghanistan.  Since that campaign was largely an air war enabled by U.S. and allied special forces and indigenous Afghan opposition groups, the report focuses on the air portion of the joint and combined operations that were conducted in Afghanistan from October 7, 2001 through March 2002.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA449279
Book call no.:  958.1047 L221a

Mrozek Donald J.  Air Power and the Ground War in Vietnam:  Ideas and Actions.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air University Press, 1988.  196 p.
Dr. Mrozek observes that the application of airpower is influenced by factors far beyond the battlefield.  The section "Supporting Ground Combat Forces" pp 118-119, recaps two operations that airpower provided the support required.
Also available online at:  http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/Mrozek_Airpower_Groundwar.pdf
Book call no.:  959.704348 M939a

Neville, Leigh.  Special Operations Forces in Iraq.  New York, Osprey Publishing, 2008.  64 p.
Identifies, describes and illustrates the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the U.S. and other Allied (Coalition) forces committed to war in Iraq since 2003 and provides insight into specific operations, equipment, and experiences.
Book call no.:  956.704434 N524s

Olson, Eric T.  Statement of Admiral Eric T. Olson, U.S. Navy Commander United States Special Operations Command before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Posture of Special Operations Forces, March 24, 2008.  Washington, Senate Armed Services Committee, 2008.  24 p.
Also available online at:  http://www.dod.mil/dodgc/olc/docs/testOlson080304.pdf
Book call no.:  356.160973 O53s

Owen, Robert C. and Mueller, Karl P.  Airlift Capabilities for Future U.S. Counterinsurgency Operations.  Santa Monica, CA, RAND, 2007.  67 p.
Discusses whether the airlift requirements of counterinsurgency call for specialized airlift forces or are merely another task best handled by the general-purpose airlift fleet and forces.  Report also examines airlift in the foreign internal defense (FID) program which is a SOF core task. 
Also available online at:  http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2007/RAND_MG565.pdf
Book call no.:  355.425 O97a

Pushies, Fred J.  Deadly Blue:  Battle Stories of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command.  New York, American Management Association, 2009.  238 p.
The book is a collection of battlefield experiences of today’s air commandos.  Most accounts involve air power.  A first-hand account of the missions, equipment and people fighting the War on Terror from the air and on the ground.  Chapter 19 “One Period of Darkness’ talks about the failed 1980 Iranian hostage rescue attempt.  Desert One provides the catalyst for the CV-22 Osprey, as outlined in Chapter 19.
Book call no.:  958.1047 P987d

Rosenau, William.  Special Operations Forces and Elusive Enemy Ground Targets:  Lessons from Vietnam and the Persian Gulf War.  Santa Monica, CA, Project Air Force/RAND, 2001.  60 p.
The study looked in particular at how elusive forces (ranging from light forces in a peace operation to mobile ballistic missiles in a larger conflict) operate, why the United States has a limited capability against them today, and how we might do better in the future.  Chapter 3, pp. 29-44, provides the challenges associated with mobile targets.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA400746
Book call no.:  355.422 R813s

United States.  Congress.  House.  Committee on Armed Services.  Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities.  Hearing on National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 and Oversight of Previously Authorized Programs.  Hearing.  110th Congress, 2nd Session, March 5, 2008.  Washington, GPO, 2009.  97 p.
Offers the testimony of Admiral Eric T. Olson, Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command, concerning the "Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for U.S. Special Operations Command.  SOF mobility is mentioned on page 44 and SOF ISR requirements on page 47.
Also available online at:  http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_house_hearings&docid=f:43668.pdf
Book call no.:  355.622973 U582d 2009h

Van Creveld, Martin and others.  Air Power and Maneuver Warfare.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air War College, 1994.  268 p.
The authors identify and discuss the fundamental concepts and principles of maneuver warfare, compare and contrast it to attrition-style warfare, and trace its origins and history.  Chapters 5 and 6 pertain to this research topic.
Also available online at:  http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil/digital/pdf/book/vanCreveld_Airpower_Maneuver_Warfare.pdf
Book call no.:  355.42 V223a

Yarger, Harry R.  Educating for Strategic Thinking in the SOF Community:  Considerations and a Proposal.  Hurlburt Field, FL, JSOU Press, 2007.  29 p.
The objective of this monograph is to examine the issue of strategic thinking in SOF:  What is the future need and how should the community develop and better inculcate strategic thinking in its members?
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA495549
Book call no.:  356.160973 Y28e

Documents (Student Research)

Bauernfeind, Tony D.  Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and Their Future with Air Force Special Operations Forces.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air Command and Staff College, April 2004.  40 p.
Air Force Special Operations Forces (AFSOF) have brilliantly employed small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during combat operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.  The majority of requirements documents are fixated on the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition (RSTA) capabilities that small UAVs can provide.  This paper is intended to illustrate that small UAVs can accomplish more than RSTA in support of the AFSOF missions.
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43122 B3443s

Hartman, Scott A.  Airpower Support to Unconventional Warfare.  Fort Leavenworth, KS, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, December 2009.  84 p.
"This thesis examines the current ability of Special Operations Forces to conduct UW with air support, specifically air support provided by Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)."--Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA512516
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42022 H333a

Huebert, Kevin D.  The Role of Airpower in Irregular Warfare for the 21st Century.  Monterey, CA, Naval Postgraduate School, December 2009.  61 p.
The paper argues that despite the capabilities of the current Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) fleet of aircraft, it lacks the capability to successfully engage in UW and COIN throughout the globe.  The current attack and mobility fleet is too large for a majority of the world’s airfields, and is too expensive (required infrastructure to support such aircraft) to transfer to partner nations.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA514119
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42525 H887r

Locke, Joseph W.  Back to the Future:  America’s Forgotten Lessons in Visual Reconnaissance.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air Command and Staff College, April 2007.  32 p.
"Re-introducing a simple Forward Air Control aircraft into the Theater Air Control System will significantly enhance the Air Force contribution to military success in the Global War on Terrorism."--Abstract.
Also available online at:  http://www.afresearch.org
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43122 L8141b

Macklin, James R., Jr.  Air Power and Counterinsurgency:  A Strategic Study in Efficiency.  Carlisle Barracks, PA, U.S. Army War College, February 2010.  36 p.
Air power is a critical commodity that can contribute significantly to counterinsurgency warfare.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA518133
Doc. call no.:  M-U 39080-537 M1582a

McKenzie, James K.  Airpower Contributions to Irregular Warfare.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air War College, 2009.  30 p.
"This study focuses not only on the Air Force’s stated contributions to IW, but more the real issue of how much capacity is really required within its stated capabilities and what must be done to resolve any shortfalls.  Critical as well, is the fact that it is absolutely necessary for the Air Force to maintain a balanced force that is capable and flexible to operate within conventional as well as irregular warfare."--Abstract from web site.
Also available online at:  http://www.afresearch.org
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43117 M156a

Markland, Thomas.  Airpower in Irregular Warfare.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air War College 2009.  28 p.
"This paper opens with an historical survey of air power's extensive use in irregular warfare.  These experiences are then contrasted with a review of the halting development of IW doctrine.  Next the pros and cons of two organizational options, either standing up an IW Wing(s) or assigning the mission to USSOCOM (United States Special Operations Command), are analyzed.  The paper concludes with recommendations for building a balanced capability, integrating doctrine, and consolidating these efforts with with education, training and exercises."--Abstract.
Also available online at:  https://www.afresearch.org/
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43117 M3462a

Phinney, Todd R.  Airpower Versus Terrorism:  Three Case Studies.  Maxwell AFB, AL, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, June 2003.  93 p.
This study analyzes the effectiveness of airpower versus terrorism using three case studies.  Overall, these three case studies reveal a spectrum of responses with which states can respond to terrorism.
Also available online at:  https://research.maxwell.af.mil/papers/ay2003/saas/phinney.pdf
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43998-1a P572a

Shinn, Theodore K., Jr.  Military Ethics in Counterinsurgency:  A New Look at an Old Problem.  Fort Leavenworth, KS, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, 2007.  95 p.
This article is directed to the ground campaign and does not directly address airpower, but the discussion of ethics does need to be factored into the airpower aspect of special operations and did airpower live up to their roll ethically.
Also available online at:  http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA475568
Doc. call no.:  M-U 42022 S555m

Sullivan, Timothy J.  2006 QDR:  A Pathway for Air Force Special Operation’s Forces.  Maxwell AFB, AL, Air Command and Staff College, 2008.  34 p.
This paper seeks to answer the question:  How could the Air Force and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) equip Air Force Special Operations Forces to carry out the recommendations of the 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR)?
Also available online at:  http://www.afresearch.org
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43122 S9522q

Trask, Thomas J.  The Special Osprey:  Impact on Special Operations Doctrine.  Maxwell AFB, AL, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, 1996.  82 p.
Examines some of the doctrinal issues that arise from the addition of the CV-22 to the SOF arsenal; looks at some historical data on cases where similar evaluations were called for and considers their results; and considers what measures are being discussed or proposed currently.
Review the portion on the historical data, Chapter 3, SOF Traditional Mission Areas, for information on air power roles.
Also review Chapter 4, New SOF Mission Areas.
Also available online at:  https://www.afresearch.org/
Doc. call no.:  M-U 43998-1 T775s

Periodicals

Airpower in Counterinsurgency.  Military Technology 34, no. 7:99-102 2010.
The article discusses the general principles for the most effective employment of air power in support of the U.S., multinational and host nation (HN) forces.  It discusses the uses of aircraft and their advantages.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=52594287&site=ehost-live

Al-Khuzaa'i, Qaa'id K. M.  The Use of Airpower in Combating Terrorism in Iraq.  Air & Space Power Journal 23:11-18+ Spring 2009.
The article by an Iraqi Air Force Staff Major General states that small fixed-wing aircraft and light attack helicopters can ensure the relevance of airpower and is very useful in order to attain strategic and tactical effectiveness.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1708120981&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Bellflower, John W.  The Indirect Approach.  Armed Forces Journal 144:12-17 January 01, 2007.
The thinking continues to be grounded in a theory of strategic attack that fails to maximize air power’s utility in small wars. The section “Indirect Air Power” highlights the value of the nonlethal airpower.
Also available online at:  http://infoweb.newsbank.com/

Belote, Howard D.  Counterinsurgency Airpower:  Air-Ground Integration for the Long War.  Air & Space Power Journal 20:55-64 Fall 2006.
The author documents the successes of increased joint coordination in both nations, particularly with regard to improving close air support and ensuring the security and legitimacy of national elections.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1261925671&sid=6&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Boera, Michael R.  The Combined Air Power Transition Force:  Building Airpower for Afghanistan.  Air & Space Power Journal 24:11-26 Spring 2010.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=2056861411&sid=4&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Braybrook, Roy.  Special Air Delivery.  Armada International 31:1-14 December 2007-January 2008.
Provides information on platforms being developed to increase the special mission requirements for Special Operations Forces.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1412868911&sid=3&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Burgess, Mark.  The Afghan Campaign One Year On.  Defense Monitor 31:1-3 September 2002.
Discusses the effectiveness of the combination of airpower and special operations forces in Afghanistan.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=7657327&site=ehost-live

Harndschke, Ernie.  Adding Less-Lethal Arrows to the Quiver for Counterinsurgency Air Operations.  Air & Space Power Journal 22:33-43 Summer 2008.
The article explains, gaps in the weapons inventory in relation to counter-insurgency (COIN) tactics, techniques and procedures.  The description of how coalition forces identified and filled COIN weapons-capability gap offers important lessons that validate the importance of having Airmen involved in planning and executing ground operations at the strategic, operational and tactical levels.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1496715601&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Haun, Phil M.  The Nature of Close Air Support in Low Intensity Conflict.  Air & Space Power Journal 20:107-110 Fall 2006.
In LIC there are no enemy aircraft to engage, no enemy air defenses to attack, no state headquarters to surgically strike, and no fielded forces to interdict.  Air strikes, therefore, are significantly restricted in order to limit collateral damage, a factor which can alienate the populace and increase sympathies for the insurgents, as well as weaken domestic and international political support.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1261925741&sid=6&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Hinman, Skip.  Air Power's Lost Lessons.  Armed Forces Journal 144:32 October 2006.
Strategic thinkers are now awakening to the threat of other kinds of war.
Also available online at:  http://infoweb.newsbank.com/

Jean, Grace V.  'Lawrences of the World' U.S. Special Operations Command Seeks Culturally Attuned Warriors.  National Defense 93:26-27 April 2009.
The number-one equipment gap in SOCOM is aviation, said Roger Carstens, a former Army Special Forces officer and now a military analyst at the Center for a New American Security.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1679998441&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Jogerst, John.  What’s So Special about Special Operations?  Lessons from the War in Afghanistan.  Air & Space Power Journal 16:98-102 Summer 2002.
Seven lessons that can be learned about SOFs from the war in Afghanistan are discussed.  Air power is addressed indirectly in several lessons and how the air component added value, especially lesson four.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=149459811&sid=8&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Kennedy, Harold.  Why Special Ops Prefer C-130s for Many Missions.  National Defense 86:26-27 February 2002.
Article explains the varying missions of the C-130 Hercules as used in the special operations war in Afghanistan.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=115184452&sid=1&Fmt=4&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Kennedy, Harold.  Will Special Ops Success 'Change the Face of War'?  National Defense 86:20-21 February 2002.
In Afghanistan special ops personnel focused on advising anti-Taliban forces and improving the accuracy of air strikes.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=115184449&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Leffler, Michael T.  Need CAS (Close Air Support)?  Call 'Spooky':  The Role of the AC-13OU Gunship in CAS.  Marine Corps Gazette 84:72-73 May 2000.
Examines a United States Air Force close air support (CAS) weapon, the AC-130U gunship.  Crewmembers; Incorporation of 1990s technology to enhance CAS effectiveness; 25-millimeter Gatling gun; 40-millimeter Bofors cannon for larger targets; 105-millimeter howitzer; Aiming of guns; Guncrew; Sensors and radars to reduce possibility of fratricide.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=53776979&sid=2&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Leibstone, Marvin.  Special Operations Forces & 21st Century Warfare.  Military Technology 33:(Special Issue 2009):29-33 2009.
For most of their existence to date, US and allied nation Special Operations Forces (SOF) have been perceived as, and treated as, sub-organizations inside the traditional loops of warfare.  Here, Leibstone delineates many planned SOF missions that contained usually high degree of risk and the lessons learned for SOF engagements.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=37247145&site=ehost-live

Olson, Eric.  U.S. Special Operations:  Context and Capabilities in Irregular Warfare.  Joint Force Quarterly No. 56:64-70 First Quarter 2010.
Admiral Eric T. Olson, USN, is Commander, U.S. Special Operations Command.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1948691691&sid=7&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Peck, Allen G.  Airpower's Crucial Role in Irregular Warfare.  Air & Space Power Journal 21:10-15 Summer 2007.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=1295266391&sid=2&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Read, Derek.  Airpower in COIN:  Can Airpower Make a Significant Contribution to Counter-Insurgency?  Defence Studies 10:126-151 March-June 2010.
This article, written in 2006, considers the range of roles fulfilled by airpower in counterinsurgency.  British perspective.
Also available online at:  http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=mth&AN=51095682&site=ehost-live (Lengthy load time)

Rolfsen, Bruce.  An Answered Prayer - Thunderbolts Aid Special Forces in Firefight in Iraq.  Air Force Times 65:18-19 April 26, 2004.
A success story, right place, right time, right equipment.
Also available online at:  http://infoweb.newsbank.com/

Tiron, Roxana.  Fast Jets Not Ideal Choice for Close Air Support.  National Defense 88:17 April 2004.
Military technologies, such as unmanned aircraft and sensors, can be strong force multipliers, however, there are instances when modern technology hinders the work of special operators.  One example is close air-support operations where high-performance jet fighters are coupled with forces on the ground.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=624321751&sid=1&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Weisgerber, Marcus.  The Light Attack Aircraft.  Air Force Magazine 93:56-58 January 2010.
USAF reconsiders the mix of aircraft needed to provide CAS and armed overwatch in irregular conflicts.
Also available online at:  http://www.airforce-magazine.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2010/January%202010/0110aircraft.aspx

Wooley, Michael W.  America’s Quiet Professionals:  Specialized Airpower--Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.  Air & Space Power Journal 19:59-66 Spring 2005.
The commander of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) briefly explains where AFSOC is right now, how it got here, and where the command is going.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdlink?did=834474111&sid=3&Fmt=6&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

Wurster, Donald C.  Mastering the Art of the Possible:  The Air Force Special Operations Command.  Joint Force Quarterly No. 56:80-84 First Quarter 2010.
This story provides only one example of how AFSOC continues expanding its capabilities to provide the combatant commander with the full spectrum of specialized airpower.
Also available online at:  http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1948691721&sid=1&Fmt=1&clientId=417&RQT=309&VName=PQD

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