Capturing Non-Linear Battlefield Operations

As the United States Military transforms from an industrial age organization into an information age institution, doctrine and strategy should be evaluated and adjusted if necessary to match information age resources, capabilities and mindset. This thesis uses historical analysis to answer the question: How can the environment be cultivated to foster the next generation of maneuver warfare in the information age? The framework of this analysis is focused on Conventional Air Force/Special Operations Force integration and interdependent operations. The analysis of these operations placed special emphasis on the training relationships developed between these two communities to determine if there are mission enhancement qualities found in integrated, interdependent and habitual relationships. Understanding there are valuable capabilities derived from these relationships, the focus shifts to the post-mission segregation of the two communities that repeatedly demonstrates a misunderstanding of the importance found in long-term habitual training relationships and ultimately hinders non-linear battlefield operations. Recent combat operations indicate the United States' military may no longer be bound by the limitations of linear warfare but it is now capable of conducting operational level non-linear battlefield operations. Non-linear battlefield operations are becoming the maneuver warfare standard bearer for the information age military. The Conventional Air Force (CAF) and Special Operations Force (SOF) relationship and interdependent operations demonstrated during OEF and subsequently refined during OIF serve as a model for future joint operations. Service parochialisms should be set aside and CAF-SOF interdependence maintained through strategic level staff and leadership integration.