Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector: Another Win for Warden s Theory

This monograph analyzes the planning and execution of Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector in Libya in 2011 to support Colonel John Wardens theory of warfare. United Nations Security Council resolutions established two operational objectives, a no-fly zone and the protection of civilians, with the major limitation of prohibiting foreign ground forces from the operations. Because of this limitation, airpower was the primary instrument used to achieve the operational objectives. The operational objectives are the framework for this analysis. The methodology consists of three parts. First, Wardens theory is presented and can be simplified as first achieving air superiority, then using air interdiction and close air support missions to target the enemy as a system of five rings through centers of gravity. The theory provides the evaluation criteria. Next, arrangement of tactical actions toward the operational objectives is displayed through the reconstruction of key events. The third section evaluates the tactical actions against the evaluation criteria from Wardens theory in the framework of the two operational objectives. Analysis shows the planning and execution of Operations Odyssey Dawn and Unified Protector supports the main principles of Wardens theory of warfare.