The enemy below: preparing ground forces for subterranean warfare

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dc.contributor.advisorBlanken, Leo
dc.contributor.authorBowes, Joshua S.
dc.contributor.authorNewdigate, Mark T.
dc.contributor.authorRosario, Pedro J.
dc.contributor.authorTindoll, Davis D.
dc.contributor.departmentDefense Analysis (DA)
dc.contributor.secondreaderArquilla, John
dc.dateDec-13
dc.date.accessioned2014-02-18T23:38:34Z
dc.date.available2014-02-18T23:38:34Z
dc.date.issued2013-12
dc.description.abstractThis capstone project analyses subterranean threats in the contemporary operational environment. It identifies the doctrinal gap in the U.S. military regarding operations within tunnels, urban and natural cavities, and other underground facilities, and outlines the changes necessary to prepare ground forces to operate in these complex environments. This paper reviews historical cases spanning back over half a millennium, proposes a new typological classification system, and investigates the subterranean environment in terms of the United States Army doctrine, organization, training, matriel, leadership and education, personnel, and facilities process. Additionally, it provides analysis geared toward countering subterranean threats through indirect means to include: incendiary weapons, cyber-based attacks, and military information support operations. The capstone finds that: 1) Current U.S. military doctrine does not properly prepare units for operations in subterranean environments; 2) Future conflicts will require general purpose forces to deal with subterranean threats; and 3) Understanding the use of indirect approaches is critical in the conduct of subterranean operations. This research leads to the recommendation that the Training and Doctrine Command Intelligence Support Activity recognize subterranean as an operational environment. Additionally, this capstone provides guidance to commanders and staffs to assist in pre-mission training even before the doctrinal gap is filled.en_US
dc.description.distributionstatementApproved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
dc.description.serviceMajor, United States Armyen_US
dc.description.urihttp://archive.org/details/theenemybelowpre1094538883
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10945/38883
dc.publisherMonterey, California: Naval Postgraduate Schoolen_US
dc.rightsThis publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.en_US
dc.subject.authorSubterranean warfareen_US
dc.subject.authorsubterranean typologyen_US
dc.subject.authordeep underground facilitiesen_US
dc.subject.authorrudimentary and sophisticated tunnelsen_US
dc.subject.authorsubterranean targeting factorsen_US
dc.subject.authorsiege of Constantinopleen_US
dc.subject.authorsiege of Petersburgen_US
dc.subject.authorMessines Ridgeen_US
dc.subject.authorBattle of Okinawaen_US
dc.subject.authorCu Chi Tunnels of Vietnamen_US
dc.titleThe enemy below: preparing ground forces for subterranean warfareen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US
dspace.entity.typePublication
etd.thesisdegree.disciplineDefense Analysisen_US
etd.thesisdegree.grantorNaval Postgraduate Schoolen_US
etd.thesisdegree.levelMastersen_US
etd.thesisdegree.nameMaster Of Science In Defense Analysisen_US
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