A-10 Operations and the Battle for North Norway.

• Main Author: Terry, James G
• Other Authors: RAND CORP SANTA MONICA CA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1988
• Subjects: Military Operations; Strategy and Tactics; *STRATEGIC ANALYSIS; *STRATEGIC WARFARE; *NORWAY; NATO; WARSAW PACT COUNTRIES; USSR; SCENARIOS; AMPHIBIOUS OPERATIONS; LAND WARFARE; A-10 Aircraft; Norwegian Sea; Kola Peninsula; Norway; kola peninsula; North Norway; Alaska
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA193854; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA193854

This report outlines the strategic importance of North Norway to the outcome of any future NATO/Warsaw Pact war on the basis of its location adjacent to the western Soviet heartland, the major Soviet bases on the Kola Peninsula, and the Norwegian Sea. The report presents a scenario for a Soviet amphibious and land force attack upon the region, the object of which would be the control of the main air and naval bases in the region. It discusses five missions that U.S. A-10 aircraft could perform to support the defense of North Norway. It concludes by recommending that: 1) Alaska-based A-10 aircraft be selected to perform these missions because of unique similarities between the environments of North Norway and Alaska; and 2) the present training of Alaska-based A-10 pilots be modified to prepare them for these missions. Keywords: Attack bombers, Defense planning, Air Force operations.