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created: 1 June 04
Air
& Space Power Journal - Summer
2004
|
Doctrine NOTAM |
Maj Paul R. Guevin, USAF
Joint Publication 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms, defines psychological operations (PSYOP) as “planned operations to convey selected information and indicators to foreign audiences to influence their emotions, motives, objective reasoning, and ultimately the behavior of foreign governments, organizations, groups, and individuals.” PSYOP has become a mainstay of US government efforts at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels to exert such influence in a manner favorable to military operations.
PSYOP played a significant role in recent operations such as Enduring Freedom, in which air-mobility missions delivered humanitarian rations at the same time air-combat sorties struck militarily significant targets in other parts of Afghanistan. Furthermore, during Iraqi Freedom, we dropped both leaflets and ordnance to prompt enemy soldiers to surrender; we also broadcast messages to them over their own radio systems. These transmissions had the complementary effect of denying the Iraqis use of their own radios.
Air Force doctrine for information operations (see the NOTAM on info ops elsewhere in this issue) and PSYOP is evolving, a fact reflected in the Air Force Doctrine Center’s realigning and renumbering of some publications. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operations, formerly Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 2-5.2, will become AFDD 2-9, and Psychological Operations, formerly 2-5.3, will become 2-5.2. The next approved revision of the published documents will incorporate these changes. In addition, Air Combat Command (ACC) is currently defining a new concept of operations for “influence operations” as an element of the revised concept of information operations. As ACC’s and the Air Force’s center of excellence for Air Force PSYOP, the Air Intelligence Agency has taken the lead in refining the focus of PSYOP to include psychological effects.
The Air Force now believes that air, space, and information power are all psychological instruments that can influence an adversary’s perception, behavior, and morale. For this reason, Air Force PSYOP activities serve as an integral part of air-operations planning and targeting processes, rather than as mere adjuncts. US aircraft, by their dynamic presence and actions, transmit an unmistakable psychological message to most adversaries. The mere threat or presence of superior aircraft can ground an enemy’s air force, demoralize his army and civilian population, or promote stability.
Through the production of certain effects, our service is exploiting the psychological element of warfare by creating conditions that drive an adversary to perceive events and behave in ways favorable to friendly interests. It is in this vein that the Air Force ponders the place and direction of PSYOP doctrine.
To Learn More . . .
Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 2-5.3. Psychological Operations, 27 August 1999. https://www.doctrine.af.mil/ Main.asp?. (This document will become AFDD 2-5.2 upon approval of its revision.)
Goldstein, Col Frank L., and Col Benjamin F. Findley Jr., eds. Psychological Operations: Principles and Case Studies. Maxwell AFB, AL: Air University Press, 1996. http://www.au.af.mil/au/aul/aupress/Books/Goldstein/Goldstein_B18.pdf.
Hosmer, Stephen T. Psychological Effects of U.S. Air Operations in Four Wars, 1941–1991. Santa Monica, CA: RAND, 1996.
Huss, Maj Jon. “Exploiting the Psychological Effects of Airpower: A Guide for the Operational Commander.” Air and Space Power Journal 13, no. 4 (Winter 1999): 23–32. airchronicles/apj/apj99/win99/huss.pdf.
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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