11. Catastrophic Interdiction: Air Power and the Collapse of the Iraqi Field Army in the 2003 War
- Author:
- Carl Conetta
- Publication Date:
- 09-2003
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Project on Defense Alternatives
- Abstract:
- This report analyzes an important aspect of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF): the interdiction of Iraqi ground units by coalition air forces. Based on air campaign statistics, observations from the field, and the experience of past air campaigns, the report assesses the likely impact (in terms of combatant casualties) of coalition air attacks on the Iraqi army in the field. Our approach is a comparative one that views the OIF air interdiction campaign in light of the experience of the 1991 Gulf War. Among the issues we explore is the contribution of coalition air power to the catastrophic collapse of the Iraqi Republican Guard and regular army.
- Topic:
- Security and Defense Policy
- Political Geography:
- Iraq and Middle East