In a June 6, 2011 op-ed, by foreign policy analyst Bennett Ramberg, titled “Why NATO’s air might lacks power,” Ramberg spends a lot of time talking about past wars where airstrikes failed, believing that success in Libya requires well-led ground capacity.

But Ramberg fails to mention the many supplementary reasons why NATO airpower is “not working”.

There is a time value to Airpower. To achieve objectives, you have to do so in a rapid fashion with overwhelming force. You have to put real pressures on the regime. If you are going to only fly a few sorties per day, then you will not succeed ... or the war will rage on ... and on.

As Ramberg stated, the strategy used in the 11-week Kosovo war in 1999 included intense NATO bombing with a strict objective. But in the ongoing Libya strikes, the objectives are not clear and decisive. Some allies want Qadhafi to go. Others want civilians protected. If measured by the latter, then the operation, thus far, is a qualified success. Airstrikes have been rather precise, with the targets mainly military encampments. If measured by the former, then it is not, due to lack of force.

The brunt of US Airpower is sitting on the sidelines. American airpower might, if engaged in a dedicated fashion, reduce the Libyan military to shambles. The seemingly ineffectiveness of the NATO efforts in Libya come because this effort is presented as a humanitarian mission, enabling more support among the alliances. Alliances are not getting overtly involved, but more-so leveling a playing field (by providing support for the rebels) to stop Qadhafi – who is now effectively a fugitive in his own capital and Libyan rebels continue to make gains in the western mountains.

However, a protect-the-civilians mission can go on for years, much like it did in Iraq. It was successful there and can be in Libya, even as the economy and well-being of the people are being hurt. The current NATO airstrikes are not strategic, but tactical. Air power is a true military strength, when brought with enough force and common goal.

Chet Curtis
Director, Policy & Communications
Air Force Association