General Moseley OKs irregular warfare doctrine

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. M.C. McCarthy
  • Air Education Training Command Public Affairs
MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Al. (AFPN) --  The Air Force's top officer has signed the doctrine document that establishes operational level doctrinal guidance for irregular warfare. Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3, Irregular Warfare, focuses on the operational and strategic aspects of IW and differences in the application of force from traditional warfare.

Understanding the strategic context of IW is the first step in determining how best to employ forces, said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff, while approving AFDD 2-3.

"We must be able to articulate Air Force capabilities and contributions to the irregular warfare fight, with its unique attributes and requirements," General Moseley said. "Employed properly, airpower (including air, space and cyberspace capabilities) produces asymmetric advantages that can be effectively leveraged by joint force commanders in virtually every aspect of irregular warfare."

The document describes Air Force capabilities and operations required to effectively defend and counter adversaries. According to AFDD 3-2, the complex nature of IW requires the combined capabilities of all military Services, government agencies, and partner nations. Effectively employing AF capabilities relies on the joint force developing coherent strategies and plans to provide the appropriate force at the appropriate time.

The document defines IW "as a violent struggle among state and nonstate actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations. IW favors indirect and asymmetric approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capabilities in order to erode an adversary's power, influence, and will."

The document goes on to acknowledge that IW presents unique challenges to the joint force requiring innovative strategies for employing Air Force capabilities.

"Today and in the future, effectively combating and conducting IW is critical to protecting the U.S. and its vital interests," the document states. 

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