* The strategic and tactical advantages Southwest Asia poses special challenges for of high technology. the Navy. While not every naval warfare area was stressed or even tested, naval forces par- * The c~allenge of finding and neutral- ticipated in virtually every aspect of the cam- intig naval mines. paign. Multi-mission platforms proved espe- cially valuable. THE LESSONS OF DESERT SHIELDI ST()RM. This initial review of lessons learned * COMMAND RELATIONSHIPS. underscores keys to victory which must be DESERT SHIELD/STORM high- nurtured and reinforced. It also highlights lighted the importance of establishing areas for improvement. peacetime planning relationships and staffs which parallel wartime respon- QUALITY PEOPLE AND REALISTIC sibilities and requirements. TRAINING. The outstanding quality of our people, and their high state of training, were * ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE. fundamental to success. The all-volunteer force ASW was not tested as there was no worked and worked well. Our men and women threat, but primary ASW systems knew their jobs, knew their equipment, and such as P-3s, S-3s and LAMPS heli- knew how to fight. Naval forces arrived in copters used multi-mission capabili- theater trained and ready. We must continue ties to good advantage. to emphasize: ANTI-AIR WARFARE. DESERT People programs - the foundation of SHIELD/STORM presented a com- the all-volunteer force. plex AAW challenge. All operations were conducted safely and success- High quality, realistic training - fully from pre-hostilities through re- including joint operational training - deployment. There were no `tlue-on- which is fundamental to success in blue" air eng~gements. combat. STRIKE WARFARE. The Joint Force JOINT OPERATIONS. DESERT Air Component Commander (JFACC) - SHIELD/STORM iilus~Tated the importance used the air tasking order (ATO) as a and benefits of joint and combined operations. centralized planning and execution While some problems were encountered - tool to effectively manage the unpre& particularly in command and control, commu- eden ted volume of sorties, especially nications, i nteroperabili ty, and matters of joint during the preplanned, structured doctrine --- the sigi~ificant progress made in stages of the campaign. joint operations over the past several years was reflected in success on the battlefield. - STRIKE AIRCRAFT. The A-6 That success firmly cemented theNavy's com- aircraft was the workhorse for mitment to joint operations. long range strike and performed extremely well in an environment WARFIGHTING. Conducting com- of established air superiority. plex joint operations in an environment like However, it was also apparent the - viii -
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