Airpower Support to Unconventional Warfare

<p>With the development of the long war the U.S. military's focus has shifted dramatically from its traditional emphasis on conventional operations to irregular and indirect approaches to safeguard America's vital interests. One of the least understood aspects of Irregular Warfare is Unconventional Warfare (UW) which includes operations conducted through with or by indigenous forces and provides the U.S. with an indirect means of accomplishing its objectives. 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). This thesis examines the questions--Does AFSOC currently have airpower assets with the capability to support UW operations with mobility resupply and fires? Three case studies were used to examine airpowers role in UW: Allied support to the French resistance in WWII United States support to the Hmong during the conflict in Laos and a hypothetical scenario using AFSOC's current capabilities. The three case studies were examined using the evaluation criteria of effectiveness efficiency and unity of effort. The analysis found that AFSOC could currently support UW operations but effectiveness would be limited by a number of factors.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>