Overview

This monograph examines whether or not the current U.S. Army Operational Design methodology could increase the effectiveness of airpower. Analysis of existing design literature provides a common understanding of the U.S. Army's design methodology for the application to two historical case studies. The studies selected for analysis resulted from the similarity of key components. Both involved operations in North Vietnam where major combatants shared the common political goal of trying to extricate themselves from the conflict. Although in each study major combatants could not have used the current conception of operational design, leveraging the framework provided by the U.S. Army reveals some interesting conclusions. The first study analyzed Operation CASTOR and the subsequent battle for Dien Bien Phu. CASTOR demonstrates that airpower's effectiveness could have increased had the French used the U.S. Army's Operational Design methodology. The lack of systems thinking, reflective thinking, environmental framing and the inability to reframe all reduced the effectiveness of airpower and ultimately led to CASTOR's failure. The second study, Operation LINEBACKER II, suggests that using the U.S. Army's Operational Design methodology has a positive impact on airpower. The presence of systems thinking and reflective thinking by Strategic Air Command planners, the development of a mature environmental frame, the establishment of reframing criteria and the ability to reframe when required all increased airpower's effectiveness. This monograph demonstrates the value of operational design to air campaign planners and the potential for inclusion into existing Air Force doctrine. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

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