Since shortly after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in Crimea and the Donbass region, I’ve been encouraged by the US Army and some NATO nations sending small team, of advisors and observes to see what Russia is using and doing up close.
What we’ve seen in open source is enough to concern anyone who remembers what regimental artillery and electronic warfare can be like on the receiving end … and knows how much we have institutionally forgotten. Just imagine what we have behind the SCIF door.
At the same time – as Ukraine has a significant maritime security challenge as well – I’ve wondered, “Where is the US Navy?” Where are our USN and USCG advisors and observers? Where are our open discussions? Who are our hot-running LTs and 100-lb-head CAPTs working and talking with their Ukrainian counterparts – bringing valuable information back and helping shape policy and programs here? You do a google search, and all you can find is a CNA report from 2000.
My preference is a 1-yr tour … but if that is too hard, why not something like this?
A team of West Point faculty and cadets traveled to the Baltic states and Ukraine in the summer of 2018, interviewing dozens of witnesses, participants, academics, activists, and victims of the country’s hybrid war with Russia. The research trip was what we call a “contemporary battlefield assessment,” or contemporary staff ride—a combination of a staff ride and a research trip to a recent conflict zone. The Modern War Institute has previously conducted contemporary battlefield assessments to Bosnia, Sri Lanka, Georgia, and Colombia.
I have no idea why we are not doing something like this. If you do – or better if we are – please let us know in the comments. I guess that’s OK if we’re not, because inadequate and just a few pages, the US Army is trying to do our job.
Take time today and head on over to the Army’s Modern War Institute and read their report, Dangerous Myths How Crisis Ukraine Explains Future Great Power Conflict.
You can find their Maritime/Littoral section on pages 44-48. I know there is so much that could be better covered by USN/USCG … but I’ll take what I can get.
Here are just a few points;
A few lessons that can be learned from the November 2018 Sea of Azov incident are as
follows:
– Russia will continue to challenge the freedom of navigation and laws of the seas in maritime
areas deemed vital to its national interests. …
…
– This show of force on the Sea of Azov indicates that this maritime area may become a new
front line in Moscow’s ongoing confrontation with NATO and the West. …
…
– An aggressive information operations campaign is likely to follow any Russian actions. …
…
– … The economic cost of delaying ships to Mariupol is significant and damages an economy that
has yet to recover from the loss of Crimea and waging a war in its East. …
Paper thin … but seriously, what is stopping the US Navy from creating such a document about Ukraine? Why have we not taken advantage of this opportunity?
Staff rides are great, but let’s go back to my 12-month tour idea. Why can’t we do this?
Is it travel funds? BA/NMP? Millington priorities?
I can’t do anything about Millington – that tail continues to wag the dog – but give me the charter and top cover to move money around the travel account and recode some BSC in manning documents for a half dozen Norfolk & DC staffs – I’ll get you what you need. Heck … if you can’t find the LT willing to do this, give me that charter too. I’ll have a half dozen ready for 12-month orders by this time next week.
(PS, have some USNR PAO types go with them … quiet a few quality ones who need the job right now – and this is the kind of story and opportunity that can make a career; they’d claw each other to do it).
