Post-Cold WarPost-Cold WarUSAF OperationsUSAF Operations

OverviewOverview Background / Lessons Learned

• Operations PROVIDE COMFORT/ NORTHERN WATCH

• Operation SOUTHERN WATCH

• Operations PROVIDE RELIEF / RESTORE HOPE

• Operation DENY FLIGHT

The Crisis in IraqThe Crisis in Iraq

UN Security Council established a “no-fly zone” over northern Iraq to protect the Kurdish people from attacks by Saddam Hussein

Operation PROVIDE COMFORT began on

5 Apr 91 as a humanitarian relief effort to deliver food, clothing, and supplies to Iraq’s Kurdish refugees

C-130s began airdropping supplies on 7 Apr 91 Lasted approximately eight years and was then

replaced by Operation NORTHERN WATCH

The Crisis in IraqThe Crisis in IraqLessons Learned - ONWLessons Learned - ONW

The need to avoid “Fratricide” The limitations of airdrops Host-country tensions The need for alternate bases Lack of an “exit strategy”

The Crisis in IraqThe Crisis in Iraq Operation SOUTHERN WATCH (OSW) is a Combined

Task Force enforcing the “no-fly zone” below the 33th parallel in southern Iraq

Not an aggression against Iraq – executed as a self-defense measure

Coalition partners include the US, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait

More than 850 Iraqi SAM and AAA fire directed at coalition aircraft

Iraq has violated the “no-fly zone” more than 160 times More than 150,000 USAF sorties by 1998

““What we’ve effectively done since 1992 What we’ve effectively done since 1992 is conduct an air occupation of a is conduct an air occupation of a

country…”country…”

-Gen Fogleman, Jul 1995

The Crisis in IraqThe Crisis in IraqLessons Learned - OSWLessons Learned - OSW

Became a test for USAF AEF concept in Oct 1995

Quality of life changes needed due to high “Ops-Tempo”

Reorganized Security Forces

The Crisis in SomaliaThe Crisis in Somalia

In-mid 1992, drought and civil war devastated Somalia

Food supplies became a weapon of war Operation PROVIDE RELIEF began on

22 Aug 1992 by the US to deliver food to Somali refugees

Military and civilian aircraft used Over 2,000 sorties, carrying 48,162 metric tons

of food

The Crisis in SomaliaThe Crisis in Somalia

Although a humanitarian effort:• 44 American soldiers lost their lives• 175 were injured or wounded

Danger of failure due to warlord interference Operation RESTORE HOPE

• Coalition peacekeeping operation from 9 Dec 92 –

4 May 93• First test of Rapid Global Mobility from the CONUS

The Crisis in SomaliaThe Crisis in SomaliaLessons LearnedLessons Learned

First large scale test of newly formed AMC and the Tanker Airlift Control Center (TACC)

Difficulties evolved in the planning, coordinating and managing of the operation

Austere infrastructure of Somalia added to the lack of adequate bases for strategic airlift aircraft

The Crisis in BosniaThe Crisis in Bosnia Oct 1992, UN Security Council Resolution 781,

established a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Operation Deny Flight

• Enforced the no-fly zone• Provided close air support to UN troops• Conducted approved air strikes under a "dual-key" command

arrangement with the UN

28 Feb 94, NATO aircraft shot down four warplanes violating the no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina• This was the first military engagement ever undertaken by the

Alliance.

The Crisis in BosniaThe Crisis in Bosnia NATO objectives

• Bosnian Serb compliance to cease attacks on Sarajevo and other safe areas

• Withdrawal of Bosnian Serb heavy weapons from the total exclusion zone around Sarajevo

• Complete freedom of movement for U.N. Forces and personnel, and non-government officials

• Unrestricted use of Sarajevo airport

The Crisis in BosniaThe Crisis in Bosnia

NATO missions of Operation DENY FLIGHT• To conduct aerial monitoring and enforce

compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 816• To provide close air support to UN troops on the

ground at the request of, and controlled by, UN forces.

• To conduct approved air strikes against designated targets threatening the security of the UN-declared safe areas.

The Crisis in BosniaThe Crisis in Bosnia

Operation DENY FLIGHT lasted from 12 Apr 1993 to 20 Dec 1995• Almost 100,000 sorties flown

A formal closure ceremony was held in Vicenza, Italy on 21 Dec 1995• Forces associated with Operation DENY FLIGHT

were then transferred to Operation DECISIVE ENDEAVOR -- as part of the overall NATO Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR.

The Crisis in BosniaThe Crisis in BosniaLessons LearnedLessons Learned

Lack of doctrine Tactical air and space power problems Bases weren’t large enough to accept

the contingency surges Coalition/Joint problems Technological problems

SummarySummary Iraq

• Operations PROVIDE COMFORT /

NORTHERN WATCH• Operation SOUTHERN WATCH

Somalia• Operations PROVIDE RELIEF/RESTORE HOPE

Bosnia• Operation DENY FLIGHT

Don’t repeat the past!Don’t repeat the past!

AIRPOWER!!!!!AIRPOWER!!!!!