By: MG John M. Curran

In Army aviation we wisely prepare for the future through a balanced review of past events and predictions for future operations.

The last decade saw tremendous political turbulence in the world, which caused the Army and Army aviation to dramatically adjust the mission profile we had operated in since World War II. The constant Soviet threat compelled the force to prepare for a potentially cataclysmic war in a fairly well-defined scenario. When that threat was diminished by events leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall, we faced more uncertainty than we had known or prepared for in nearly a half century.

From Cold War to New Century

The last millennium's final decade saw an Army previously prepared for all-out war forced to remold its mission profile, increasing the number of mission tasks and the diversity of those tasks to accommodate a continuously changing world political scene. In short, the Army was thrown into a situation that was becoming less defined as the 1990s progressed and the new century unfolded.

A major consideration in this changing scene demanded emphasis on operations that did not necessarily involve direct conflict, yet required the use of those assets normally employed in conflict. While other organizations have not been precluded from involvement, the Army's established capability to deploy, combined with its historical flexibility and versatility, has made it far more suitable to handle such operations.

Army aviation (in both the active and reserve components) is particularly suited for this transition, given its inherent deployability, flexibility and capability to perform a wide range of missions. For example, the Army's utility and cargo aircraft have been used to assist in relocating politically displaced people, transporting food and supplies to civilian populations, and assisting special forces personnel in stabilizing regions in turmoil. These operations have become designated as stability operations or support operations, which has developed into a familiar concept in the Army, yet one that is constantly being redefined to suit the ever-changing environment. As FM 3-0, "Operations," states:

To defend and protect U.S. national interests, our national military objectives are to promote peace and stability and, when necessary, to defeat adversaries. U.S. armed forces advance national security by applying military power as directed to help shape the international environment and respond to the full spectrum of crises, while we also prepare now, for an uncertain future.

The National Military Strategy 1997

Combatant commanders employ Army forces in stability operations outside the United States and its territories to promote and protect U.S. national interests. Army forces are trained, equipped and organized to control land, populations and situations for extended periods. The depth and breadth of Army force capabilities provide combatant commanders important, flexible options to meet theater operational requirements.

Stability operations promote and protect U.S. national interests by influencing the threat, political and information dimensions of the operational environment. They include developmental, cooperative activities during peacetime and coercive actions in response to crisis. Army forces accomplish stability goals through engagement and response. The military activities that support stability operations are diverse, continuous and often long-term. Their purpose is to promote and sustain regional and global stability.

The Nature of SASO

Support operations use Army forces to assist civil authorities, foreign or domestic, as they prepare for or respond to crises and relieve suffering. In support operations, Army forces provide essential support, services, assets or specialized resources to help civil authorities deal with situations beyond their capabilities.

The purpose of support operations is to meet the immediate needs of designated groups for a limited time, until civil authorities can do so without Army assistance. In extreme or exceptional cases, Army forces may provide relief or assistance directly to those in need. More commonly, Army forces help civil authorities or nongovernmental organizations provide support. Army forces often conduct support operations as stand-alone missions. However, most offensive, defensive and stability operations require complementary support operations before, during and after execution.

Support operations provide essential supplies and services to relieve suffering and help civil authorities respond to crisis and are divided into two categories. Domestic Support Operations (DSO) are conducted in the United States and its territories, while Foreign Humanitarian Assistance (FHA), or overseas support operations, is conducted outside the United States and its territories. Such operations are generally conducted in three broad phases - response, recovery and restoration - with Army forces less committed in each successive phase. The following examples illustrate various combinations of stability and support 0perations conducted in the last decade in which Army aviation has played a significant role.

Operation Provide Comfort

Starting in April 1991, Provide Comfort began as a stability operation involving the deployment of an allied force and Army aviation assets from numerous U.S. Army, Europe, (USAREUR) units, which were tasked to provide a secure environment for the Kurdish population in a volatile region.

This operation took on responsibilities of a support operation for relocating the Kurdish population displaced by Iraqi military forces. Nearly every type of Army rotary-wing aircraft was utilized, including the AH-64, OH-58, CH-47 and UH-60. The primary role of the AH-64s and OH-58s was reconnaissance and security of Northern Iraq to prevent redeployment of Iraqi forces, while the CH-47s and UH-60s transported thousands of tons of food and water to the displaced Kurdish population.

Operation Provide Comfort was clear evidence of Army aviation's ability to lead and participate in a multinational force committed to protecting and supporting a displaced population, while preventing an escalation of hostilities. The potential for further uprising in this region made the use of Army aviation ideal, as it is a particularly agile force able to transition quickly from stability and support operations to an operation involving use of lethal force, when necessary.

Task Force Eagle

Established in Bosnia-Herzegovina, TF Eagle is now in its fifth year of operation. This TF reflects several types of stability operations, including peace operations, combating terrorism, foreign internal defense and appropriate show of force. It embodies all the elements that make such an operation one of our greatest challenges, including a very tenuous coordination effort with the other countries involved and the ever-present potential for conflict of interest that can threaten the most carefully orchestrated effort.

TF Eagle utilizes all types of Army helicopters - including the AH-64, UH-60, OH-58 and CH-47 - from various continental United States (CONUS)-based and USAREUR units. The mission included reconnaissance and security, troop movement and transportation of supplies with deployed units operating at a greatly accelerated pace. Although TF Eagle is a textbook case for stability operations, it has the potential to quickly progress to an armed conflict. It is a multi-dimensional effort that is a testament to our ability to be responsive and to adapt to changing times and the instability of international politics.

Hurricane Mitch

In the fall of 1998 Hurricane Mitch devastated much of Honduras, leaving death, destruction and chaos in its wake. Strapped by a weak economy and remote terrain, the Hondurans' need defined a classic example of an Army support operation.

More than 5,700 American service members deployed to Central America to aid the recovery effort, allowing Joint Task Force-Bravo to rescue some 700 people and deliver 2.5 million pounds of food, nearly 100,000 pounds of medical supplies and 70,000 gallons of water. Army aviation played a major role in this operation, completing nearly 350 airlift missions with CH-47 and UH-60 aircraft.

In the first month of the operation, the aircraft flew more than 330 hours, while distributing nearly 300,000 pounds of food, 11,000 pounds of medical equipment and 50,000 pounds of miscellaneous supplies. Movement of key personnel was also a key part of their day-to-day operations. This response to a country in need typifies an Army aviation support operation.

Army Aviation Stands Ready

Stability and Support Operations are key components in the range of military operations. The Army has been successful for over 200 years largely due to its demonstrated ability to adapt to changing times and the tenuous nature of international politics. While the first mission of Army Aviation will always be warfighting in defense of our nation, it is imperative we remain properly trained and able to shift our efforts and resources as needed across the full spectrum of operations. In 1986, then Secretary of State George Shultz stated that "we must be prepared to commit our political, economic, and if necessary, military power when the threat is still manageable and when its prudent use can prevent the threat from growing."

 MG John M. Curran is the commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Center and chief of the aviation branch.