Webliography - Student Project Model

LSCI 106: ONLINE RESEARCH 1: INTRODUCTION TO ONLINE RESEARCH

Student Project

Dana Merwin

RESEARCH QUESTION:

What are the effects of helicopters on modern warfare tactics?

One of the most dynamic and revolutionary developments in military technology is the modern military helicopter. While military planners continue to debate its’ specific roles in combat, the armed helicopter has undeniably changed the way commanders employ their assets in the field. My goal in this research project is to assess the effectiveness of not just armed helicopters, but also military helicopters in general, including the important roles of resupply and casualty evacuation, with a focus on the survivability and effectiveness of helicopters on the battlefield.

GENERAL SEARCH WORKSHEET

CONCEPT #

Search Terms

1	Helicopters	medevac	Cobra	Apache	gunship
2	Battlefield	military	weapons	anti-armor	history
3	Effects	development	.innovation	strategy	.tactics

WEBLIOGRAPHY

The Air University Library's Index to Military Periodicals (AULIMP). 18 Nov. 2003.

http://www.dtic.mil/search97doc/aulimp/main.htm

This site has some bias issues to consider, as the materials are originating either directly from the military or from sources very close to the military. As such, any researcher would do well to remember that there may be some reluctance on the part of the writers involved to be openly critical of the military establishment. On the other hand, several of the articles I perused were quite critical of military decisions and policies, so this site may be more balanced than one might fear. There does not seem to be an undue amount of propaganda involved (although this would have to be more fully evaluated on an article-by-article basis). In terms of historical information and up-to-date specific technical data, this site is excellent. A drawback to the site’s usefulness is that it only provides citations rather than full text articles.

The site does not appear to be intended for the general audience, but rather seems targeted to those with a more than casual interest in the military. The articles I scanned appeared to be written either by active (or retired) pilots of by those who had some direct participation in the issues discussed, making their information relatively credible.

The purpose of the page seems to be to publish a wide variety of information for someone who has a genuine interest to learn about this subject in depth.

Durant, Michael J. In The Company of Heroes. New York: Putnam, 2003

This book is primarily about the author’s experiences as a helicopter pilot and prisoner-of-war during the famous Mogadishu battle in 1992. That being said, the real value to my research topic is the background information contained in the book. Durant relates his experiences in over a decade of active helicopter flying in was is arguably the most elite combat military helicopter unit in the world.

Although some level of bias undeniably exists in the author’s perspective due to his closeness to these extraordinary events, his expertise in this area cannot be denied. The author was a participant in some of the most leading-edge helicopter assault operations of the last two decades. Not only was he a leading pilot, he actively participated in the formulation of new methods of armed helicopter assault tactics and strategies

Durant has very strong conclusions about the proper way to employ helicopter assets in battle, particularly in regards to the Mogadishu engagement. His main objection was that this operation was executed in daylight. Durant writes extensively about the technological advantages available to the U.S. Army Aviation forces. Perhaps the most profound advantage lies with night vision devices. The ability to fly and fight at night is an enormous advantage, particularly when fighting a relatively low-tech enemy such as that faced in Mogadishu. By choosing to fight in the daylight, the author states that the U.S. command essentially gave the home-field advantage to the Somalis and negated one of the U.S.’s most significant advantages.

The author’s conclusions and opinions regarding this action and regarding armed helicopters in general are based not on assumptions of pre-existing philosophies of warfare, but on his own personal experiences in implementing new tactics and equipment, both in training and testing environments, and in the heat of battle.

“Five US soldiers killed in helicopter crash in Afghanistan.” Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. 24 Nov. 2003.

http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/357/785/44281637w4/purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A110603153&dyn=7!xrn_20_0_A110603153?sw_aep=plan_skyline

“Low-Tech Grenades A Danger to Helicopters.” The America's Intelligence Wire. 18 Nov. 2003.

http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/357/785/44281637w4/purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A110299775&dyn=15!xrn_54_0_A110299775?sw_aep=plan_skyline

Mason, Robert. Chickenhawk. New York: The Viking Press, 1983

Military Policy Awareness Links (MiPAL). 18 Nov. 2003.

http://merln.ndu.edu/mipal/mipalhome.html

Nutwell, Lynn. Rev. of In The Company of Heroes by Michael J. Durant. School Library Journal, Sept. 2003: 242. 18 Nov. 2003.

http://web4.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw/infomark/357/785/44281637w4/purl=rc1_ITOF_0_A108791772&dyn=18!xrn_8_0_A108791772?sw_aep=plan_skyline

last revised: 12-2-03 by Eric Brenner, Skyline College, San Bruno, CA

These materials are copyrighted, but may be used for educational purposes if you inform and credit the author and cite the source as: LSCI 106 Computerized Research. All commercial rights are reserved. Send comments or suggestions to: Eric Brenner at brenner@smccd.net