The Gulf War Air Power Survey

Introduction

The Gulf War (1990-1991) represented a watershed moment in military history, particularly in the application of air power. Operation Desert Storm, the combat phase of the Gulf War, showcased unprecedented uses of air power in achieving military objectives. In response to this significant military campaign, the United States Department of Defense commissioned the Gulf War Air Power Survey (GWAPS) a comprehensive examination of air operations during the conflict.

The survey provides invaluable insights into the planning, execution, and effectiveness of air power during the Gulf War, offering lessons that continue to influence military doctrine and strategy to this day.

Background of the Gulf War Air Power Survey

The Gulf War Air Power Survey was authorized by the Secretary of Defense in August 1991, shortly after the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm. Modeled after the U.S. Strategic Bombing Survey conducted after World War II, GWAPS was tasked with providing a thorough, objective assessment of air power's role in the conflict.

Directed by Dr. Eliot Cohen, a prominent military historian and professor at Johns Hopkins University, the survey brought together a team of military officers, academics, and policy analysts. This diverse team conducted extensive research, reviewed official documents, interviewed participants, and analyzed operational data to create a comprehensive record of air operations during the Gulf War.

Scope and Methodology

The Gulf War Air Power Survey encompassed five primary volumes:

1. Part I: Planning - Examined the strategic planning process and development of air campaigns
2. Part II: Operations and Effects - Analyzed the execution of air operations and their impacts
3. Part III: Munitions - Assessed the effectiveness of various weapons systems employed
4. Part IV: Logistics and Support - Evaluated the logistical framework enabling sustained operations
5. Part V: Command, Control, and Communications (C3) - Investigated command structures and information management

The research team employed a multifaceted methodology that included analysis of after-action reports, examination of classified and unclassified documents, interviews with key participants from all services, and statistical analysis of bombing accuracy and effectiveness. The survey also incorporated lessons from previous conflicts to provide historical context.

Key Findings and Conclusions

The Gulf War Air Power Survey yielded numerous significant findings regarding air power's application and effectiveness during the conflict:

Strategic Effectiveness

The survey concluded that the air campaign successfully degraded Iraq's military capabilities and will to fight. Strategic bombing of Iraqi leadership, command and control capabilities, and infrastructure proved highly effective, isolating Iraqi forces in Kuwait and limiting their ability to coordinate effective defense.

Technological Advantages

Precision-guided munitions (PGMs) demonstrated unprecedented effectiveness, with the survey noting that approximately 80% of PGMs hit their intended targets. Stealth technology, as employed by the F-117 Nighthawk, allowed for attacks on heavily defended targets with minimal losses, fundamentally changing the calculus of air campaign planning.

Joint Operations

The survey highlighted both achievements and challenges in joint operations. While air power from multiple services was effectively integrated under Central Air Force (CENTAF), coordination issues, particularly between Army and Air Force commanders, revealed the need for improved joint doctrine and command relationships.

Battle Damage Assessment

The survey exposed significant deficiencies in battle damage assessment (BDA). Inaccuracies in assessing target destruction and damage sometimes led to redundant strikes or the premature conclusion that certain targets had been neutralized when they had not.

Electronic Warfare and Suppression

The effectiveness of electronic warfare and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) operations was emphasized as a critical factor in maintaining air superiority and minimizing aircraft losses, with Iraqi air defenses rapidly degraded by coalition efforts.

Impact on Military Doctrine and Strategy

The findings of the Gulf War Air Power Survey significantly influenced the evolution of American military doctrine and strategic thinking:

Air Power's Centrality in Military Operations

The survey reinforced air power's position as a primary element of military operations, rather than merely supporting ground forces. This led to increased emphasis on air power in subsequent military doctrines, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Revolution in Military Affairs

The technological advantages demonstrated during the Gulf War contributed to the concept of a "Revolution in Military Affairs" (RMA). This theory suggested that new technologies, combined with doctrinal changes, could transform military capabilities in fundamental ways.

Precision Warfare Doctrine

The success of precision-guided munitions led to greater investment in these technologies and the development of doctrines that emphasized hitting specific targets with minimal collateral damagea trend that would continue to evolve in subsequent conflicts.

Joint Operations Improvement

Issues identified in joint operations during the Gulf War prompted reforms in joint doctrine, training, and command structures, leading to more effective integration of different services in later operations.

Effects-Based Operations

The survey's analysis of how air power produced strategic effects influenced the development of "effects-based operations" concepts, which focused on achieving desired strategic outcomes rather than merely destroying physical targets.

The Legacy of the Gulf War Air Power Survey

More than three decades after its completion, the Gulf War Air Power Survey remains a foundational document for understanding modern air power:

Academic Resource

The survey serves as an invaluable resource for military academies, war colleges, and academic institutions studying modern warfare, air power theory, and military history.

Continued Relevance

Despite the evolution of technology and strategy since 1991, many of the survey's fundamental observations about air power's strengths and limitations remain relevant to contemporary military operations.

Model for Future Assessments

The Gulf War Air Power Survey established a template for post-conflict military assessments. While subsequent conflicts have not always received similarly comprehensive analyses, the survey continues to represent a gold standard for thorough, objective military evaluation.

Historical Record

The survey created a comprehensive historical record of one of the most significant air campaigns in history, preserving first-hand accounts and operational data that might otherwise have been lost.

Conclusion

The Gulf War Air Power Survey stands as a testament to military scholarship's role in learning from operational experience. Its thorough analysis of the air campaign during Operation Desert Storm has provided enduring lessons about the effective application of air power, the importance of joint operations, and the continuing evolution of military technology and doctrine.

As military operations continue to evolve in an increasingly complex global security environment, the insights offered by GWAPS remain relevant to strategists, policymakers, and military professionals seeking to understand both the potential and limitations of air power in achieving national objectives.