(Pam) 525-3-0, The Army Capstone Concept - Federation of ...

TRADOC Pam 525-3-0
operations forces, an array of surveillance and intelligence collection assets, indigenous forces,
information operations, joint capabilities, and relief and reconstruction efforts. Essential
elements of successful operations in Iraq included a keen understanding of the situation,
integration of all arms and joint capabilities, the development and integration of indigenous
forces, and military support to governance and development. Most important was the ability to
adapt operations continuously as forces developed the situation through action.
(2) The Second Lebanon War (2006)
(a) The Second Lebanon War provides an example of a nonstate actor (albeit with state
support) using irregular and well trained guerilla forces and employing conventional,
unconventional, and terrorist tactics to accomplish their objectives. The conflict provides an
example of a technologically superior army that underestimated a skilled enemy.
(b) Drawing on lessons from two decades of Israeli occupation as well as recent conflicts
in Gaza and Iraq, Hezbollah leaders developed a broad range of capabilities to counter Israeli
strengths and exploit what they perceived as Israeli weaknesses. For its part, the Israeli Defense
Force’s (IDF’s) thinking about war focused on adapting new technologies and ideas into a
revolutionary doctrine based on effects-based operations and systemic operational design.
Proponents within the IDF came to believe that an enemy could be paralyzed by precision air
attacks against military systems and, therefore, only small, ―networked‖ land forces would be
required for military operations. 11 The Israeli Air Force removed close air support from their
missions while the Army reduced armored forces and training standards. 12 Changes in IDF
doctrine, training, and organizations undermined their ability to conduct effective combined arms
and integrate joint operations. The difficulties the IDF faced when their brigades came into
contact with Hezbollah’s combined arms defenses highlight that determined and creative
enemies will continue to evade detection from even the most advanced surveillance capabilities.
Much of what future forces must know about the enemy, such as competence, cohesion, and
motivation, lies outside the reach of technology.
(c) After the war in Southern Lebanon, the IDF returned to basics, including combined
arms expertise, competency in basic tactical skills, and clear thinking about operations. The IDF
emphasized the need to conduct effective reconnaissance with combined arms teams. Air power
and precision fires were reintroduced as capabilities to be employed in combination with ground
maneuver forces. The Army focused on improving combined arms capabilities through
organizational redesign, leader development, and realistic training. Reforms aimed to ensure that
forces are capable of fighting under uncertain conditions and adapting quickly to change or
surprise. The IDF also emphasized the operational art to ensure that military efforts contributed
to the achievement of policy goals.
(3) Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 2001-2009
(a) U.S. military experience in Afghanistan since 2002 has revealed the enduring
uncertainty of armed conflict, challenges associated with joint and multinational operations, and
possibilities as well as limitations associated with long-range surveillance. When U.S.
intelligence detected Taliban forces in the Shah-i-Kot valley in March of 2002, commanders
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