Securing lodgment at an airfield in an environment where it is uncertain whether the introduction of military forces will be opposed during a military operation other than war poses a difficult problem for planners of military operations. Forcible entry is a combat mission to wrest control of a lodgment site from an opposing force. These operations use the principles of mass, surprise and overwhelming combat power to secure the point of entry and facilitate the rapid introduction of additional military forces. Unopposed entry to an airfield to secure lodgment can be achieved less aggressively with less provocative means. Landing a security force at the airfield appears benign compared to either airborne assault or air assault techniques. However, in an uncertain environment, the tension between security of the force, restraint and legitimacy provides operational planners a problem in risk management. The method selected for insertion of the entry force telegraphs the intent of the mission, whether combat, peace enforcement, or peacekeeping. This study evaluates initial lodgment plans and operations in Operations Urgent Fury and Uphold Democracy against the principles of war and operations other than war.

ADA 324392 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.)