Role of Air Forces in Counter Insurgency Operations

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Role of air forces in counterinsurgency Role of Air Forces in Counterinsurgency Military forces have three dimensions, they are fundamentally known as Army, Air force and Navy. While each of them poses there distinct advantages and shortcomings, yet the recent two decade of warfare from 1990 till date have seen a revolution in the on ground implementation of these three types of forces. A rapid revolution of technology has also played its part in changing the balance these three types of military forces hold in the battle field, along with the support that they extend to each other. In recent times Air force has stepped forward and prompted itself as a force with rapid projection of force, mobility and engagement; improved strategic, operational and tactical situational awareness; flexibility of targeting and reach. In "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan United States air forces played a vital role and served as one of the most powerful irregular warfare capability of the United States in this region. Though any casual observer cannot see the abilities of the United States air forces and its effects which it brought to the American war in Afghanistan as compare to the military exercises by other ground forces but air forces remained very useful and helpful to the ground forces and their military activities in that part of the world. The United States air forces continued to dominate the other nations or countries which tried or caused any threat to the national interest of America and its people, therefore, they hugely rely on their air forces to defend their country and take active part in irregular warfare. Irregular Warfare is defined as the struggle amongst states or nations to influence or prove their legitimacy over the other nation. In Afghanistan the counterinsurgency operations require field artillery units to have mobility on the nonlinear
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