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Operation Iraqi Freedom Case Study

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Operation Iraqi Freedom campaigns demonstrated differing success levels. Operational design promotes a comprehensive understanding of the environment and accurate problem definition, which are key to determining a feasible operational approach. The JFC’s operational approach serves as the initial planning guidance for the JOPP and sets the conditions for the entire planning process. Inadequate strategic direction, inaccurate understanding of the operational environment (OE) and incorrect problem definition resulted in an impractical operational approach to the Iraq war until reframing occurred with the 2006 surge. This paper describes General Franks’, Casey’s and Petraeus’ use of operational design. This essay discusses civilian policy shortfalls …show more content…
Adequate civilian guidance promotes the JFC’s ability to link resources and tactical actions with strategic ends. Broad and untimely guidance, the marginalization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and intrusive SecDef tactics produced an inadequate strategic direction. President Bush belatedly signed the classified goals for the Iraq invasion in August 2002 after Secretary Rumsfeld had already directed the development of two contingency plans. The President sought to topple a dictator, secure Iraq, implant democracy and eliminate Saddam’s weapons of mass destruction treat. The top three civilian leaders, Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld, formed a national security decision-making troika that removed the Joint Chiefs from the strategic decision-making process. Secretary Rumsfeld capitalized on the broad Presidential guidance and the Joint Chiefs of Staff marginalization to dominate the decision-making process. The SecDef used his “snowflakes” to shape military planning and drive commanders toward an operation that aligned with his vision for the employment of a lean force. Rumsfeld’s anemic force lacked the capacity to achieve the Presidents lofty strategic goals. Inadequate strategic guidance resulted in the misalignment of ends and means that was not

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