Adding less-lethal arrows to the quiver for counterinsurgency air operations

Air & Space Power Journal, Summer, 2008 by Ernie Haendschke

One other valuable lesson learned regarding combat experimentation arose after the inert GBU-38s flew in support of operation Iraqi Freedom. MNC-I leadership wanted to try using the inert JDAMs as a counter to IEDs along roads. In theory the weapon would have detonated the IED and would not have caused much further damage to the roads, since it had no explosive warhead. This would have made road repair quick and relatively inexpensive, compared to the repair required had we used a live warhead. Since this addressed a high-priority need to defeat roadside IEDs, the Air Force agreed to the experiment despite weaponeering analysis that showed a very slim probability of success. Unfortunately, after a number of unsuccessful tests, we stopped the experimentation.

Despite this lack of success, there will be other legitimate times when we will need experimentation in combat to produce a specific effect against a specific target, particularly if the stakes are high--for example, if we were trying to quickly find a way to defeat a newly evolved tactic responsible for coalition casualties, as was the case here. However, this experimentation should proceed only after appropriate leadership has made a conscious decision after consulting a designed evaluation plan that incorporates measures of effectiveness and designed feedback mechanisms, including means of documenting the test conditions prior to and after the event. Otherwise, the results would prove suspect, and the findings would make no conclusive determinations. Employing inert JDAMs on "suspected" or "historically known" IED locations without certain knowledge of the presence of a device or its exact location is no way to conduct field experimentation.

Conclusion

Effective COIN operations require reexamination of some previously employed tactics, techniques, and procedures and the types of weapons used in conjunction with them. With the help of Airmen assigned to the expeditionary air support operations group, Army planners identified a required effect between nonkinetic SOF and the weapon with the lowest CD in our inventory. The Air Force filled the gap quickly with the inert JDAM, making it immediately available for surge combat operations during the summer of 2007. Additionally, as a result of this effort, Air Force F16 and A10 fighters were certified to employ the navy's low-CD GBU-51/Bs and GBU-38 (v) 4/Bs until the nextgeneration low-CD weapon, the FLM, becomes available. Both the inert JDAM and navy's low collateral Damage Bomb give joint war fighters added flexibility when they need effects associated with a low-CD weapon. This ordnance will allow access to targets formerly restricted by CD limitations and make airpower more effective and lethal in COIN operations. The Airmen fighting today in Iraq and Afghanistan are continuing the fine traditions of agility and innovation, ensuring that airpower remains responsive to the needs of the joint war fighter throughout the spectrum of conflict, including COIN operations.