USAF Support to Low Intensity Conflict

This monograph provides a review of USAF support to low intensity conflict (LIC). The author describes the evolution and current state of low intensity conflict doctrine in the US Air Force and then provides three case studies from US military actions in the 1980s. Each case study discusses the background of the conflict, describes USAF operations to support these low intensity conflict operations, and identifies the important lessons learned from each. These case studies show four areas that require increased service attention: service acceptance of doctrine encompassing LIC support, development of service wide capability to carry out LIC support missions, joint planning and exercises of LIC support operations, and improved command and control for these operations. These areas require increased service emphasis to improve USAF effectiveness in future low intensity conflict. The author discusses each area in terms of specific recommendations for institutionalizing USAF support to low intensity conflict operations.