Operation Corporate: Operational Artist's View Of The Falkland Islands Conflict by Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Dunn USMC

Author:Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Dunn USMC [USMC, Lieutenant Colonel Richard C. Dunn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Iraq War (2003-2011), Persian Gulf War (1991), United States, Aviation
ISBN: 9781782896654
Google: YxdwCwAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2014-08-15T05:03:51+00:00

ARGENTINE FORCE EMPLOYMENT

In stark contrast to the British integrated use of all forms of combat power at the operational level of war, the Argentinean employment of forces was demonstratively defensive and tactical in nature. The Argentine surface navy, after an abortive attempt to seek out the British fleet at sea on 1 May, went entirely on the defensive (“fleet-in-being”) after the sinking of the BELGRANO. The land forces, devoid of an operational plan, were left to operate independently and suffered accordingly.{24} The minimal ground force resistance to Operation SUTTON, the lack of organized resistance against the British march across East Falkland, and the ineffective defense of the high ground around Stanley point to Argentinean ground forces that were outgunned, outmanned and outfought.

In the subsurface arena, Argentinean conventional submarines attempted to be offensively oriented but were outclassed by their British counterparts. Though generally ineffective tactically (no known British losses due to Argentinean subs), the fact that Argentina had conventional submarines caused Admiral Woodward much concern.{25}

Only in the air did Argentinean forces consistently display an offensive nature. Argentina’s Air Force organized “Air Force South” in an effort to take the battle to the enemy.{26} The Argentinean Naval Air Arm contributed significantly by combining the Super Etendard aircraft and the Exocet missile into an effective weapons platform that helped to shape the battlefield operationally. The Argentinean air forces stationed in the Malvinas attempted to use the Pucara ground attack aircraft against British forces in South Georgia, Goose Green and Port San Carlos but were not generally effective.

In actuality, the air war in the South Atlantic was tactical in nature since the Argentineans failed to consolidate their resources into a coherent operational campaign. Had the Argentines sank a high value target such as the HERMES, FEARLESS or CANBERRA, a strategic effect might have been accomplished using tactical means. Tactical failures due to insufficient time over the target, failure of bombs to detonate and inability to distinguish strategic targets all combined to make the impact of the Argentinean air power tactical, vice operational or strategic in its effect.

The lessons for the U.S. operational planner at this operational level of war are as follows:

In order to deter war, it is crucial to have credible forces already on station in the crisis area in advance of potential hostilities.{27}

During the negotiations phase, the operational employment of a strategic weapon system like the nuclear submarine can provide a “show of force” that can be quietly withdrawn as the situation dictates.

In a democracy, political pressure brought to bear by an impatient public/media/opposition party can force upon the operational commander tactical objectives which are not useful militarily to the overall campaign. Operational planners need to understand the primacy of politics as the nature of war.

The United States, like Britain, is an island nation. Power projection for an island nation requires naval power projection capability against the entire continuum of threat intensity. In order to effectively employ naval power and minimize losses to the fleet, an integrated battle plan, covering anti-surface warfare, ASW, and AAW, must be provided for in-depth.

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