Non Warfare Military Operations

Author : Michael C. Desch
Publisher :
ISBN 13 : 9781463685447
Total Pages : 180 pages
Book Rating : 4.6/5 (854 download)

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Download or read book Soldiers in Cities written by Michael C. Desch and published by . This book was released on 2001-10-31 with total page 180 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Soldiers in Cities is required reading for military professionals and others interested in defense policy and issues. In the past half-century, the classic military conflict of armies maneuvering in the field has been replaced by conflicts that center on, rather than avoid, heavily populated areas. Modern military conflict more frequently is not just a fight to control villages or cities, but a variation on the timeless wish to control populations and the hearts of nations. The hardware and mass orientation of the levée en masse and industrial-age armies is being replaced by sophisticated terrorists, information warfare, and the politics of mass persuasion. This is reshaping the face of warfare. America's own military history demonstrates the soldier's dilemma in fighting among populations. The U.S. Army's experience is extensive but often forgotten. First called on to defend settlements against Indian attacks, it later laid siege to or captured cities in Mexico and during the American Civil War. During World War II, the Army liberated or seized thousands of towns and hundreds of cities on the European continent. Fighting in or around village hamlets or cities was a frequent occurrence in Southeast Asia operations. Strangely, our doctrine and cultural focus have remained preoccupied with the classic "fight in the woods" or the seizure of high ground. Urban operations or operations among a foreign populace were always considered "possible" but were not formally incorporated into regular annual training for most combat units. That trend is ending. The required change has been a long time coming. During the 1970s the classic defense issues of the European General Defense Plan became more and more affected by the "urban sprawl" that changed the face of Europe. As post-Cold War planners surveyed contingencies, it became apparent that the growing urbanization of man affected not just developed but also underdeveloped nations. True maneuver possibilities sought by our technology-rich Army remained only in deserts. The emerging future would be different. The battlefield would most likely be a populated area. Modern military forces may fight sophisticated armies and air forces, but cities and populations will no longer be innocent bystanders. The complex terrain of urban centers will be critical in any modern operation, and their populations will become involved. Our national policy to promote, defend, and, if need be in some circumstances, install democracy demands a multitasked force that will provide stability and peace to populations in the battle area. As the armed forces become more involved in stability operations, and with the increasing likelihood that possible opponents will seek shelter in urban areas, it is imperative that our soldiers be skilled in a wide array of urban centered operations ranging from forced entry to peacekeeping. As such, our armed forces must be expert in the tactics and techniques of urban operations throughout the spectrum of peace and war missions. Soldiers in Cities clearly delineates the problems facing modern armed forces entering an urban environment. That we will enter that environment during future contingencies is a given. That we are ready to adapt our techniques, technology, and training to that day is a decision we have already made in the positive. The Association of the United States Army is proud to have been a co sponsor of the conference that produced this fine work and confidently recommends it to defense professionals.