Airpower in Coin a Coercive Approach

The purpose of this paper was to explore airpower's coercive capabilities in counter-insurgency operations. Traditional theories hold that airpower is not as effective in fighting a COIN due to its primarily kinetic applications. Using a less familiar definition of coercion allows addressing the non-kinetic capabilities airpower brings to the fight. Based on two case studies, the Greek Civil War and the Malayan Emergency, this paper argues that airpower presents sovereign options to the nation for fighting a COIN. As with any conflict, an understanding of the political and historical perspective, and the overall strategy involved in both conflicts allows for a greater understanding of the direct impact airpower had on these insurgencies. While kinetic operations occurred in both cases, airlift, air mobility, ISR, psychological warfare, and medical evacuation are additional uses of airpower capable of coercing insurgents. Applying these lessons from the past to the present Global War on Terror, this paper gives credence to the ability of airpower to contribute to the Grand Strategy to win this long war.