Prepare for 'Irregular Warfare'

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Central Command will soon test the DoD's new 'Irregular Warfare Doctrine' in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to AFDD 2-3, dated 01Aug07, Irregular Warfare (IW) is define as "a violent struggle among state and nonstate actors for legitimacy and influence over the relevant populations. IW favors indirect approaches, though it may employ the full range of military and other capabilities to seek asymmetric approaches in order to erode an
adversary's power, influence, and will."

This is not intended to replace or be considered lesser to traditional warfare, rather it is meant to meet the demands of the modern age. According to Maj. Gen. Allen Peck, AFDC commander and vice commander of Air University, "Obviously the war we are fighting now against transnational terrorist networks will be a long fight, and sufficiently distinctive from traditional conflicts to warrant a separate keystone doctrine document," he said. "While the experiences of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan will weigh heavily in the development of this doctrine, we intend our irregular warfare doctrine to be broad and enduring rather than focusing on any particular operation, current or past."


"We need to espouse our views of airpower, to include capabilities to operate in the air, space and cyberspace domains, in this type of fight," General Peck said. "We've proven airpower can effectively support other agencies combating counterinsurgency, but can also operate in a supported component role. It doesn't always have to be about having lots of 'boots on the ground.' Airpower brings asymmetrical advantages to the fight that can be effectively leverage by joint force commanders in counterinsurgencies, support for insurgencies, and other forms of irregular warfare."

Last week Central Commands deputy director of operations Brigadier General Robert Holmes announced an interagency task force on irregular warfare will be created. Gen. Holmes also said, "we would be engaged in irregular warfare, because we would be fighting adversaries, threat adversaries, that would present themselves as very globally organized networks. And that's exactly what were in right now."

According to the military web sire of West Point, the Irregular Warfare specialty has become the most popular choice among cadets who pursue a Bachelor's of Science in Military Art and Science.

Air Force Doctrine Document 2-3