This book is included in the US Armed Forces Organizations section.
Foreword
Our nation is at war. Warriors must plan and orchestrate irregular warfare as
joint, multinational, and multi-agency campaigns, beginning with the first efforts of
strategy development and concluding with the achievement of the desired endstate.
As Airmen, we have a unique warfighting perspective shaped by a century-long quest to
gain and maintain the high ground. We must be able to articulate Air Force capabilities
and contributions to the irregular warfare fight, with its unique attributes and
requirements. Employed properly, airpower (to include air, space, and cyberspace
capabilities) produces asymmetric advantages that can be effectively leveraged by joint
force commanders in virtually every aspect of irregular warfare. Irregular warfare is
sufficiently different from traditional conflict to warrant a separate keystone doctrine
document. While the fighting experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan should weigh heavily
in the development of our doctrine, we intend this doctrine document to be broad,
enduring, and forward-looking, rather than focusing on any particular operation, current
or past.
T. MICHAEL MOSELEY General, USAF
Chief of Staff
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Foundational Doctrine Statements
CHAPTER ONE—Understanding Irregular Warfare (IW)
IW Defined
IW Model
IW ‘Truths’ for Airmen
Counterinsurgency (COIN) ‘Truths’ for Airmen
Insurgency and Terrorism
Countering Insurgency and Terrorism
CHAPTER TWO—Air Force Applications in IW
The Value of Air Force Capabilities in IW
Minimal Intrusiveness
Rapid Response
Rapid Mobility
Rapid Engagement
Improved Strategic, Operational, and Tactical Situational Awareness
IW Activities
Support to Insurgencies
COIN and Support to COIN
Provide Security
Help Alleviate Root Causes
Limit an Adversary’s Conventional Options and Flexibility
Disrupt Enemy Movement
Target Insurgent Leaders and Active Supporters
Air and Ground Coordination
Shaping and Deterring
Counterterrorism
CHAPTER THREE—Air Force Capabilities In IW
Building Partnership Capacity (BPC
Assess, Train, Advise, and Assist
Combat Aviation Advisory Mission
BPC and COIN
Intelligence
Analysis and Targeting
All Source Intelligence
Collection
Non-traditional Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Human Intelligence
Counterintelligence
Distributed Operations
Intelligence Collaboration
Foreign Disclosure
Information Operations
Network Warfare Operations
Electronic Warfare
Influence Operations
Psychological Operations
Military Deception
Counterpropaganda
Public Affairs
Operational Security
Air Mobility
Combat Deployment
Combat Sustainment
Integrating Mobility and Special Operations
Agile Combat Support (ACS)
ACS Operations in IW
Civil Engineering
Medical Evacuation / Medical Teams
Precision Engagement
Command and Control (C2)
CHAPTER FOUR—Strategy and Planning
Strategy Considerations
Strategy Differences in IW
Long View Versus the Quick Decisive Victory
Center of Gravity
Focus on Stability
Operational Environment
Failed States
Cooperative Governments
Non-Cooperative Governments
Theater Security Cooperation Plan
Security Assistance
Building Partner/Regional Capacity to Counter IW Threats
Persistent Presence
Strategy Development
Understanding the Environment and History of the Region
Integration With Political and Other Interagency Organizations
Planning Considerations
Commander’s Estimate Art
Operational Art
Legal Considerations
Operational Phases
Shaping and Deterring Operations
Counterterrorism
Support to COIN
Indirect Support
Direct Support not Involving Combat
Direct Support Involving Combat
COIN
Support to Insurgency
Preparation of the Operational Environment
Supporting Unconventional Warfare Activities
Supporting Massed Forces
Assessment
CHAPTER FIVE—IW Operations
Command and Control
C2 Planning
Geographical Considerations
Continental United States Basing
Theater-based Forces
Basing Inside the Joint Operations Area
Environment for Employment
Force Presentation
Supporting the Partner Nation (PN)
Supporting Insurgencies
Force Protection in IW
Executing Operations
Airspace Control
Operation Cycles
Enabling PN Capabilities
Conducting Direct Operations
Transitioning from Direct Operations
Sustaining the PN
SUGGESTED READINGS
APPENDIX—Understanding Insurgencies
Insurgent Motivations
Political
Cultural
Religious
Economic
Radical Extremism
Organization
Operations
Non-violent Operations
Violent Operations
Support
Strategies Used By Insurgents
Coup d’etat
Military Focused Movement
Popular Protracted War
Urban Focused
Glossary
INTRODUCTION
In this type of war you cannot – you must not – measure the effectiveness of the effort by the number of bridges destroyed, buildings damaged, vehicles burned, or any of the other standards that have been used for regular warfare. The task is to destroy the effectiveness of the insurgent’s efforts and his ability to use the population for his own ends.
― General Curtis E. Lemay ―
Purpose
Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 2-3, Irregular Warfare, establishes
operational-level doctrinal guidance for irregular warfare (IW). IW is not a lesser included
form of traditional warfare. Rather, IW encompasses a spectrum of
warfare where the nature and characteristics are significantly different from
traditional war. IW presents unique challenges to military forces requiring
innovative strategies for employing Air Force capabilities. Effectively combating
and conducting IW is critical to protecting the US and its vital interests.
Application
This AFDD applies to the Total Force: all Air Force military and civilian
personnel, including regular, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard units and
members. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Air Force doctrine applies to the
full range of operations.
The doctrine in this document is authoritative, but not directive. Therefore,
commanders need to consider the contents of this AFDD and the particular
situation when accomplishing their missions. Airmen should read it, discuss it,
and practice it. Due to the political nature of IW, Airmen must be able to
articulate Air Force capabilities to civilian leadership and decision makers.
Scope
This doctrine focuses on the operational and strategic aspects of IW and
differences in the application of force from traditional warfare. Understanding the
strategic context of IW is the first step in determining how best to employ forces.
The document describes Air Force capabilities and operations required to
effectively defend and counter adversaries. Effectively employing these
capabilities relies on the development of coherent strategies and plans providing
the appropriate force at the appropriate time. The complex nature of IW requires
the combined capabilities of all military Services, government agencies, and
partner nations. While this document focuses on Air Force doctrine, IW is
inherently a joint and interagency fight.
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