This study investigates the role of armor in military operations other than war (MOOTW). MOOTW missions are likely to be the most prevalent operations conducted in the foreseeable future by the U.S. military. Consequently, it is important that the military understands which forces to use in MOOTW and how to use those forces effectively. The U.S. will probably not be able to devote specific units to train and execute MOOTW missions. Therefore, the forces that are trained and assigned to regular combat contingency plans will also be those forces that carry out MOOTW. Armored units of different types comprise a significant portion of the forces available to the United States. These forces will likely be used when the United States commits forces to MOOTW. Consequently, it is important to determine whether or not armor can be effective in MOOTW. If it can be effective, then what is the best way to employ it to enhance its usefulness to the force as a whole? To determine whether armor can be effective in MOOTW, this study will examine the use of armor in some relatively recent MOOTW conducted by United States forces. The three operations studied in detail are the Marine mission in Lebanon from 1982 to 1984, the "intervasion" in Haiti in 1994, and the use of armor to control Cuban refugee camps in Panama. The use of armor in these three missions is analyzed and the missions are compared to each other. Additionally, the missions are compared to United States armored operations in Panama during 1989. This operation is used as a comparison because of the wide range of missions conducted by armor throughout the period. This includes the MOOTW missions prior to operation Just Cause and those conducted after the combat portion concluded. In addition, the doctrine available on the use of armor in MOOTW is cited as it relates to the operations conducted by armor in the case studies. The study concludes that armor is effective in MOOTW. To be effective in these operations it is important that military commanders understand how to employ the armor assigned to their forces. Armor can be very useful in executing MOOTW, but employed indiscriminately or improperly, it can be a liability. The study recommends that combined arms be used in MOOTW and that the use of armor in MOOTW be added to doctrine.

ADA 312700 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)