Is There a Role for Attack Helicopters in Peace Operations?
Smith, Stephen C.
Synopsis "Is There a Role for Attack Helicopters in Peace Operations?"
This thesis is a study to determine if attack helicopters are needed in peace operations. It uses case studies of two peace operations in which the U.S. Army employed attack helicopters: Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti and Operation Joint Endeavor in Bosnia. The case studies examine the doctrine, mission analysis, predeployment training, new equipment and equipment modifications, task organization, deployment, and employment of attack helicopter units in each operation. Because the operations are very recent, the study relies heavily on interviews and lessons learned from individuals who took part in each operation. The analysis evaluated each operation using six criteria that were common to both operations. These criteria included doctrine, mission analysis, task organization, training, aircraft modifications/preparation, and employment. This thesis concludes that there is a role for attack helicopters in peace operations. Attack helicopters were critical to the success of operations in both Haiti and Bosnia because of their ability to operate in the ground environment without restrictions due to terrain or land mines, and their psychological impact as a deterrent to the escalation of violence.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
