Air Power Against Terror: America's Conduct of Operation Enduring Freedom [Paperback]

Benjamin S. Lambeth (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0833037242 | ISBN-13: 978-0833037244 | Publication Date: November 20, 2006 | Edition: 2

Distinguished author Ben Lambeth details the initial U.S. military response to the terrorist attacks of 9/11, namely, the destruction of al Qaeda's terrorist infrastructure and the removal of the ruling Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Lambeth emphasizes several distinctive achievements in this war, including the use of precision air-delivered weapons, the first combat use of Predator unmanned aerial vehicles armed with Hellfire missiles, and the integrated employment of high-altitude drones and other air- and space-based sensors. AUTHORBIO: (Ph.D., Political Science, Harvard University) is a senior RAND analyst specializing in air power and international security who has flown in more than 40 different combat aircraft types with eight air forces worldwide over the past two decades. He is the author of The Transformation of American Air Power (Cornell University Press, 2000), winner of the Air Force Association's Gill Robb Wilson award in arts and letters for 2001. He is also the author of numerous other volumes, including Russia's Air Power in Crisis (Smithsonian Institution Press, 1999) and NATO's Air War for Kosovo: A Strategic and Operational Assessment (RAND, 2001).

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Air Force's examination of its role in major combat operations is notable mostly for its absence... Given this sorry state of affairs, the publication of Benjamin Lambeth's fascinating book, 'Air Power Against Terror: America's Conduct of Operation Enduring Freedom', is all the more timely and important.
Armed Forces Journal, June 2006


This is the only recommendation I have concerning airpower in recent operations. Lambeth presents a very revealing book that lays out many behind-the-scenes issues, and has a relatively robust discussion/critique of the role of JAGs in combat operations. An absolute 'must read' for anyone deploying to work in an air operations' center.
Brigadier General Charles J. Dunlap, Jr.


For almost 60 years, the RAND Corporation has provided military and policy decisionmakers with effective solutions to the challenges facing America in times of peace and conflict. Following in that sterling tradition is the publication of Benjamin S. Lambeth's latest work, 'Air Power Against Terror'. The author provides readers with an analysis of the Bush Administration's preparation for Operation Enduring Freedom--from the initial planning for the response to 9/11, to the attacks against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Lambeth's insight into the enabling capabilities of US air power against determined foes in what can only be characterized as an extremely hostile environment leaves readers with a new understanding of the approach that America will use to counter such threats in the 21st century.
Parameters, "Editor's Shelf," Spring 2006

From the Inside Flap

This report describes and assesses the planning and execution of Operation Enduring Freedom against al Qaeda and the Taliban in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of 9/11.

Product Details

• Paperback: 338 pages
• Publisher: Rand Publishing; 2 edition (November 20, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0833037242
• ISBN-13: 978-0833037244
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,476,714 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Douhet vindicated?, January 21, 2009

By 

E. M. Van Court "Van, emvc (at) lycos.com" (Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Air Power Against Terror: America's Conduct of Operation Enduring Freedom (Paperback)

Not really, but more on that later.

"Air Power Against Terror" is an incredibly detailed history of the first six or seven months after September 11th 2001, with an in-depth analysis of things that went well and things that needed improvement in the use of air power in that period. Mr. Lambeth conducted extensive research and the bibliography of this book is imposing, but emphasis was on primary sources throughout. The first two-thirds of this book are the history in chronological order, and this will be a key resource for future historians because of its detail and scrupulous referencing of sources. The last third is analysis. Mr. Lambeth's assessment is well constructed and supported and bears considerable thought from anyone involved in the Department of Defense, the military, or in any aspect of the government related to the use of military power (like the State Department).

The most contentious section of the book will be the description and assessment of Operation Anaconda, the attack against a Taliban stronghold in the Tora Bora region in Spring '02. Rather than go through the intricacies of the post-operational blamestorming, I'll sum up the understanding that Mr. Lambeth conveyed to me. From Joint Central Command to the 101st Division, noone can be absolved of responsibility. Brigade level units and below undoubedly made errors, but these are lost behind the greater errors at higher levels. The 101st deployed without its normal supporting elements (specifically an Air Force liaison element), for security duties, but subsequently, CENTCOM directed them to conduct conventional operations. In the heat of pre-battle planning, coordinatation done by the unit that had stayed behind wasn't made. Because of this, the Air Force was caught flat-footed, and failed to react quickly enough once they were informed of the plans. Many of the complaints about how the Air Force conducted operations stem from Army leaders not understanding what the Air Force can and can't do (even though the information was readily available). CENTCOM mismanaged (and over-managed) the fight, the Army didn't understand the Air Force and assumed that communication was happening, and the Air Force was slow to react once the issue was identified. This is my perception based on a reading of this book.

How does Douhet figure into all this? In 1921, Giulio Douhet, an Italian general and aviator, wrote The Command of the Air (USAF Warrior Studies) advocated what would have been an asymmetric military power structure, based on air power. Much like von Clausewitz' On War, it has been quoted, misquoted, and repeatedly cited as a definative theory of how to do air power operations. Douhet's understanding of politics and human nature was naive, but his theory would have been strong if he had incorporated a framework for media campaigns, Special Operations Forces capabilities, and had precision guided munitions and modern surveillance technologies been available. "Air Power Against Terror", especially the initial invasion of Afghanistan reads like Douhet's vision brought into the XXI Century. A country rendered incapable of defense through overwhelming air power. What is disturbing is that there are some in government who will draw the wrong lessons, not consider the conditions in Afghanistan in November 2001, and think that this was easy, and think that without qualification, Douhet exactly right. This would be bad. This would lead to travisties like Lyndon B. Johnson's incompetent management of the air campaign in Viet Nam.

If modern air power is of any relevance to your profession or even of interest, read this book. But read it, including what went wrong; don't cherry pick the parts you like.

E. M. Van Court