O'Gara Doctrine

[Brian O'Gara]

O'Gara Doctrine

Some of my thoughts on the future of our armed forces, in the event that they end up expanding

1. Air transport is superior to naval transport, in that it can carry personnel and most equipment to a distance at much faster speeds. Because of this trait, air transport is a much more effective means of power projection than naval transport.

3. Air power is more significant than naval power in today's world in that certain types of aviation vehicles are built and well suited for the task of destroying naval vessels

4. Air power also has an advantage that exists on land, where it can act in support of ground forces.

5. Though naval warfare certainly still does have some strategic and tactical advantages, many of its benefits can be utilized more efficiently by a large, well-organized air force.

6. Air power can also be an extremely efficient tool on land. Fighters and bombers can establish dominance over territory clearing most of it out before ground forces arrive, giving them a much simpler task. They can help in terms of power projection and strategy, destroying key economic, military, or governmental facilities of hostile threats.

7. Air assault can be a large-scale tool, to be undertaken by paratroopers, light armored vehicles, light artillery, and airmobile infantry (helicopter-borne light infantry). This should be a staple of the Luthorian military


8. A serious and effective air force would need primarily to include the following in order of necessity:
- Transports as the bulk of the force, in order to deliver land forces to the battlefield
- Fighters to establish air supremacy and safety for naval vessels and ground forces, but especially transports and other aircraft.
- Tanker planes to ensure that aircraft are refueled and can complete long-distance journeys.
- Maritime Patrol/Naval aviation to destroy hostile naval craft

9. To ensure complete air power, long- and limited-range bombers and reconnaissance aircraft would also be required, in support roles for major campaigns.

10. A series of military airbases throughout Luthoria, its colonial possessions, and possibly its allies' territory would be an extremely useful aid in a force that functions like this.

11. Naval power is certainly far from obsolete, and should still maintain an important role in the defense of Luthoria and its national interests. Several key aspects to which the navy will be key:
- Providing a base for aircraft on extremely long distance campaigns (aircraft carriers), and providing for the defense of these aircraft carriers
- Submarine warfare
- Mining & Counter-Mining
- Transporting heavy equipment, such as the majority of armored vehicles and heavy artillery
- Coastal defense

12. Police forces have a task that is quite distinct from that of the armed forces. Though both are noble organizations with the mission of protecting and serving the people; they have entirely different tasks with in this broadly-defined mission. The task of the police, within this greater mission is to protect the public by ensuring law and order. The task of the military is to do so by destroying the enemy. Historically, when police are combined with military, the people can often become the enemy. Besides this, joint military and police forces are often a hallmark of a fascist or totalitarian society (Nazi Germany, Communist China, North Korea, and the USSR are prime examples).

13. However, maintaining close communications between the branches of the military is key to success. In particular; on land, airmobile forces, ground forces, and air support forces need to be very closely integrated; while at sea, maritime patrol aircraft, naval fighter & bomber aircraft, and naval vessels need to be in close contact.

14. In conclusion, drastically changing the armed forces into a well-integrated, fully-military force with large-scale airpower, air transport capabilities, and air assault capabilities, while turning the police into a predominantly civilian force would be a measure that could transform Luthoria into a military powerhouse.