M1117 "Guardian" Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) Employment in Peace

Operations

A Monograph
by
MAJOR Jeffrey A. Bradford
U.S. Army

School of Advanced Military Studies

United States Army Command and General Staff College
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

First Term AY 00-01

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14. ABSTRACT
The U.S. Army Military Police (MP) Corps began fielding the M1117 "Guardian" Armored Security
Vehicle (ASV) in Fiscal Year 2000, in order to provide MP with greater protection and firepower. Most
MP officers have never employed the unique capabilities the new vehicle will bring to the modern
battlefield. The ASV is the equivalent of a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and is well suited for wartime
operations, and its presence on the battlefield will significantly improve the combat fighting capabilities of
the MP. This paper focuses on ASV employment in peacekeeping (PKO) and peace enforcement
operations (PEO). The U.S. has been involved in many peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions in
the past, and will likely be involved in many more in the future. The characteristics of peacekeeping and
peace enforcement operations however, are very different from each other. This monograph asks the
question: When is it best to employ the ASV as a visible presence or as a focused presence, in order to
achieve endstate objectives of peace operations? Joint Publication 3-07.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and
Procedures for Peace Operations, states that the peacekeepers main function is to establish a presence,
which inhibits hostile actions by the disputing parties and bolsters confidence in the peace process. What
should that presence look like? Joint publications mention visible presence and overwhelming presence.
Instead of overwhelming presence, this paper uses the concept of focused presence to dictate another
method of employing the ASV. Visible presence is defined as an overt and continuous visibility of ASVs
within the area of operations. Focused presence is defined as concentrating or massing ASVs at specific
times and locations within the area of operations. Using the operational variables for peace operations of
consent, degree of impartiality, and use of force; this monograph concludes that during peacekeeping
operations, the best employment method is as a focused presence. Given the high level of consent, the
need to maintain impartiality, and the minimum use of force required during peacekeeping, focused
presence is the preferred ASV employment method. During peace enforcement operations, the preferred
method is as a visible presence. The low level of consent, the low need to maintain impartiality, and the
possibility of combat make visible presence the preferred method for employing the ASV.

15. SUBJECT TERMS

Military Police; M1117 "Guardian" Armored Security Vehicle (ASV); peacekeeping (PKO) and peace
enforcement operations (PEO)

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 ABSTRACT

M1117 "Guardian" Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) Employment in Peace Operations

by MAJ Jeffrey A. Bradford, USA, 41 pages

The U.S. Army Military Police (MP) Corps began fielding the M1117 "Guardian"
Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) in Fiscal Year 2000, in order to provide MP with
greater protection and firepower. Most MP officers have never employed the unique
capabilities the new vehicle will bring to the modern battlefield. The ASV is the
equivalent of a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and is well suited for wartime operations,
and its presence on the battlefield will significantly improve the combat fighting
capabilities of the MP.
This paper focuses on ASV employment in peacekeeping (PKO) and peace
enforcement operations (PEO). The U.S. has been involved in many peacekeeping and
peace enforcement missions in the past, and will likely be involved in many more in the
future. The characteristics of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations however,
are very different from each other.
This monograph asks the question: When is it best to employ the ASV as a visible
presence or as a focused presence, in order to achieve endstate objectives of peace
operations? Joint Publication 3-07.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for
Peace Operations, states that the peacekeepers main function is to establish a presence,
which inhibits hostile actions by the disputing parties and bolsters confidence in the
peace process. What should that presence look like? Joint publications mention visible
presence and overwhelming presence. Instead of overwhelming presence, this paper uses
the concept of focused presence to dictate another method of employing the ASV. Visible
presence is defined as an overt and continuous visibility of ASVs within the area of
operations. Focused presence is defined as concentrating or massing ASVs at specific
times and locations within the area of operations.
Using the operational variables for peace operations of consent, degree of
impartiality, and use of force; this monograph concludes that during peacekeeping
operations, the best employment method is as a focused presence. Given the high level of
consent, the need to maintain impartiality, and the minimum use of force required during
peacekeeping, focused presence is the preferred ASV employment method. During peace
enforcement operations, the preferred method is as a visible presence. The low level of
consent, the low need to maintain impartiality, and the possibility of combat make visible
presence the preferred method for employing the ASV.

i
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Introduction……………………………………………………………………….. 1

I. Why does the Military Police Corps need the ASV?…………………………… 4

The M114 Up Armored HMMWV……………………………….. 4

The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle…………………………… 6
Comparison of UAHMMWV to ASV……………………………. 7
Summary………………………………………………………….. 8

II. Peace Operations Doctrine…………………………………………………….. 9

Types of Peace Operations………………………………………... 9

Peacekeeping vs. Peace Enforcement…………………………….. 11
Principles of Peace Operations…………………………………… 13
The Peace Operations Environment……………………………… 15
Summary…………………………………………………………. 19

III. The ASV in History………………………………………………………….. 20

The V-100 Armored Car in Vietnam…………………………….. 20

Change 1 to FM 19-4, Operational Employment of Armored Cars 22
The Need for ASVs in Somalia…………………………………... 25
The British LAV Experience……………………………………… 29
British Army operations in Northern Ireland…………………….. 31
Summary…………………………………………………………. 33

IV. Conclusions…………………………………………………………………... 35

Bibliography……………………………………………………………………… 42

ii
 ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure Page

1. M1114 Up Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle……. 6

2. M1117 Armored Security Vehicle………………………………………... 7

3. Up Gunned Weapons Station……………………………………………… 8

4. Peacekeeping/ Peace Enforcement Variables……………………………… 12

iii
 INTRODUCTION

The U.S. Army Military Police (MP) Corps began fielding the M1117 "Guardian"

Armored Security Vehicle (ASV) in Fiscal Year 2000, in order to provide Military Police

with greater protection and firepower. Most Military Police officers have never employed

the unique capabilities the new vehicle will bring to the modern battlefield. The addition

of this vehicle requires that new doctrine be written. The MP school is scheduled to finish

writing the Field Manual for this vehicle by November 2001.

The ASV is the equivalent of a Light Armored Vehicle (LAV) and is well suited

for wartime operations. Its presence on the battlefield will significantly improve the

combat fighting capabilities of the Military Police, but what will be the best way to

employ it during peace operations?

Joint Publication 3-07.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Peace

Operations, states that the peacekeepers main function is to establish a presence, which

inhibits hostile actions by the disputing parties and bolsters confidence in the peace

process. 1 What should that presence look like? Joint publications mention visible

presence and overwhelming presence. Instead of overwhelming presence, this paper uses

the concept of focused presence to dictate another method of employing the ASV. Visible

presence is defined as an overt and continuous visibility of ASVs within the area of

operations. Focused presence is defined as concentrating or massing ASVs at specific

times and locations within the area of operations.

The purpose of this monograph is to answer the following question: When is it

best to employ the ASV as a visible presence or as a focused presence, in order to achieve

1
Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joint Publication 3-07.3 Joint Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for Peace
Operations (Washington, DC: 12 February 1999), II-2.

1
the endstate objectives of peace operations? Answering this question will be easier if the

reader understands why the Military Police need the ASV, and also understand the peace

operations environment and characteristics.

The Military Police have used the M8 Armored Car in World War II, the M20

Armored Car in the Korean War, and the V-100 "Commando" Armored Car in Vietnam.

These vehicles conducted numerous critical convoy escort missions and patrols and were

highly relied upon by the Military Police. 2 Budget constraints after Vietnam ceased the

procurement of armored cars for the Military Police, but with the fielding of the ASV, a

critical operational capability gap had been filled. 3 Comparing the capabilities of the

ASV versus the current M1114 Up Armored High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled

Vehicle (UAHMMWV) will provide a basis for discussion on ASV employment in peace

operations.

The comparison of the UAHMMWV to the ASV shows the increased protection

and lethality of the ASV, and answers the question of why the Military Police needs an

ASV.

Support to diplomacy, peacekeeping (PKO), and peace enforcement (PEO) are

operations under the peace operations umbrella. This paper focuses on ASV employment

in peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations that Military Police might participate.

The characteristics of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations however, are very

different from each other. These differences will change the employment techniques of

the ASV to support the objectives of each operation.

2
Maureen W. Cross, Major, “Armored Security Vehicle (ASV),” Military Police PB 19-96-1 (Summer
1996), 6.
3
Ibid.

2
 Using Joint Publication 3-07, Joint Doctrine for Military Operations Other Than

War; Joint Publication 3-07.3; Army Field Manual 100-23, Peace Operations, this paper

will define the doctrine for peacekeeping and peace enforcement. The different types of

peace operations, the environment, and characteristics of peacekeeping and peace

enforcement operations will be examined. The differences between the two operations in

terms of the operational variables of consent, impartiality, and force will be shown. How

the commander understands each variable is important in determining the nature of the

peace operation and force-tailoring mix. 4 The principles of peace operations further

define the environment that military forces will operate. 5 Defining the characteristics of

the peace operations environment provide the foundation for applying the variables and

principles of peace operations.

This monograph also analyzes operations from the past by looking at U.S.

operations in Vietnam, Somalia, and British Army operations in Northern Ireland. This

chapter focuses on how ASVs were used, or possibly could have been used. The

evaluation criteria are the operational variables consisting of the level of consent, the

degree of impartiality maintained, and the use of force. Each operation is analyzed to

determine whether the ASV was employed as a visible presence or a focused presence.

The concluding chapter elaborates on Military Police doctrine, and how Military

Police support peace operations. Then using the MP doctrine, the operational variables,

the differences of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations, and the lessons

learned from the historical analysis, it answers the research question.

4
Headquarters, Department of the Army, U.S. Field Manual 100-23 Peace Operations (Washington, DC:
U.S. Government Printing Office, 30 December 1994), 13.

3
 CHAPTER 1

WHY DOES THE MILITARY POLICE CORPS NEED THE ASV?

The M1025/26 HMMWVs have been the workhorse of the Military Police corps

since they replaced the M151 1/4 ton Jeep in 1986. In August 1993, a MP team was

conducting a Main Supply Route (MSR) patrol in Mogadishu, when their vehicle struck

an estimated 50 lb. command-detonated land mine. 6 In October 1993, the lack of

survivability shown by HMMWVs during the Task Force Ranger debacle proved again

the need for a more survivable, wheeled weapons platform. In April 1991, immediately

following Desert Storm, the Military Police School sent a Required Operational

Capability (ROC) document to the CG, TRADOC requesting approval of the ASV. The

ASV had been a priority for the Military Police Corps for a while, and the events in

Somalia allowed the MP Corps to press its need upon the Army once more.

The M1114 Up Armored HMMWV

The Military Police determined it had an operational capability gap between the

capabilities of the HMMWV and the M113 APC/M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV).

The M113 and BFV have a much greater survivability and firepower capability than the

HMMWV, but they are very heavy, maintenance intensive, and cost prohibitive. The

HMMWV was able to be disabled by small caliber rounds and provided almost no

protection to the crew. The increased lethality of the third world environment to include

armor-piercing munitions, improved anti-armor systems, and mines forced the Military

Police to look at light armor vehicles. Procuring the M113 or BFV was not feasible or

5
Joint Warfighting Center, Joint Task Force Commander's Handbook for Peace Operations (Washington,
DC: 16 June 1997), I-10.

4
cost effective, so other vehicles would have to be evaluated. The first attempt to enhance

the survivability of MP teams was the

UAHMMWV (Figure 1) 7 . The

UAHMMWV began production in early

1995.8

The UAHMMWV is based on the

Figure 1 latest Enhanced Capacity Vehicle (ECV)

version of the HMMWV and has a higher level of armor protection including protection

against mines and 7.62mm armor-piercing rounds. It carries a crew of three with seating

for another soldier. Other features include modified differentials; improved braking and

suspension; 6.5 liter turbo-diesel engine developing 190 horsepower; upgraded wheels;

and a central tire-pressure regulation system. 9

The vehicle's armor provides protection for up to 7.62mm armor-piercing rounds

for 360o around the vehicle. It provides airburst protection from 60mm rounds at thirty

meters and 155mm rounds at sixty meters. It can also withstand a twelve pound anti-tank

mine blast in the front underbody and four-pound mine blast in the rear underbody.

Frontal protection is provided for the gunner up to 7.62mm rounds. Compared to the

standard HMMWV version, this is a significant increase in protection, but it still has

6
Christopher W. Nelson, Captain, “Military Police Support to Operations Other than War in Somalia.”
Military Police PB 19-94-2 (August 1994), 25.
7
ASV Employment Course, Command and General Staff College, PowerPoint Presentation: CGSC_TTP
(Fort Leavenworth, KS: Command and General Staff College, 2000), 4.
8
Christopher F. Foss, ed., Jane's Armour and Artillery 20th Edition (Surrey, UK, 1999), 248.

9
Ibid.

5
limitations. The payload of the vehicle is reduced to 1300 pounds, down almost a 1000

pounds from the M1025 version.

The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle

In December 1995 the Military Police selected

the Cadillac Gage ASV 150 to be the future

ASV for the U.S. Army Military Police Corps.

The M1117 Armored Security Vehicle (Figure

2)10 is a four-wheel drive vehicle. It consists of

an all-welded steel armor hull that has been

Figure 2
fitted with advanced ceramic armor to provide the crew with a higher level of protection

against heavy machine guns, armor-piercing rounds, conventional artillery splinters, land

mines and the effects of rocket-propelled grenades. The ceramic armor is mounted to the

steel hull with a spall liner on the interior surfaces. 11 The vehicle carries a crew of three

with an optional seat for a fourth passenger.

Compared to the UAHMMWV, the vehicle has an independent axle coil spring

suspension system, which will give it a significant increase in cross-country mobility. A

central tire-pressure inflation system is included along with other measures to reduce

noise and thermal signatures. 12 The vehicle provides protection from .50 caliber armor-

piercing rounds to the crew compartments and ammo storage areas. 13 It provides airburst

10
ASV Employment Course, 4.
11
Foss, 519
12
Ibid, 520.
13
Headquarters, U.S. Army Military Police School, System Evaluation Report (SER) for the Armored
Security Vehicle (ASV) (Fort Leonard Wood, MO, 24 July 2000), 3.

6
protection from 60mm rounds at ten meters, and 155mm rounds at fifteen meters. Anti-

tank mine protection is provided for up to twelve pound blasts at each wheel and four

pounds in the center of the vehicle.

The vehicle mounts a fully enclosed Up Gunned Weapons Station (UGWS)

(Figure 3) 14 and is also referred to as the 40/50

turret. This turret rotates 360o and allows for 45o

elevation of the weapon systems. The weapons

mounted in the turret consist of the Mark19

(MK19) 40mm automatic grenade launcher, and

the M2 .50 caliber machine gun. The M36E2 sight

Figure 3
allows the gunner to engage targets at the MK19

maximum effective range of 2200 meters during day or night engagements. Turret

improvements over the standard UGWS provide increased survivability and a reduced

silhouette. Two banks of four electrically operated smoke grenade launchers are mounted

on either side of the turret, firing forwards. The payload of the ASV is 3,360 pounds,

which greatly increases the carrying capacity of the MP team as opposed to the

UAHMMWV. The ASV possesses mobility comparable to the UAHMMWV, and is

transportable by C-130 aircraft, rail, and marine transport modes. 15

Comparison of UAHMMWV to ASV

The benefits of the ASV are much greater as compared to the UAHMMWV. In

comparing the two vehicles, the ASV provides a much more intimidating presence than

14
ASV Employment Course, 7.
15
Foss, 519.

7
the UAHMMWV, but is not as intimidating as the M113/ BFV. The psychological

advantages gained by having an ASV on the scene versus a UAHMMWV are significant,

especially when having to conduct a combat or peace enforcement operation. While both

crews are afforded protection when buttoned up, the gunner can still operate the weapon

systems within the ASV. The UAHMMWV gunner leaves the weapon unmanned and

subject to compromise. The increased ballistic protection of the ASV against 12.7mm

rounds and twelve pound mines versus 7.62mm rounds and four pound mines for the

UAHMMWV also enhances the survivability of the crew during operations.

Summary

In comparison, the greater firepower and survivability for ASV crews will

increase the capabilities of MP units in higher intensity operations. The operational

capability gap the ASV fills between the UAHMMWV and M113/ BFV gives the MP

commander greater flexibility, but ASV employment during peace operations will be

more challenging for the MP commander. In order to maximize the ASV's capabilities in

peace operations, understanding peace operations doctrine and the peace operations

environment are imperative.

8
 CHAPTER 2

PEACE OPERATIONS DOCTRINE

Types of peace operations

The doctrinal manuals that define U.S. Army peace operations are Joint

Publication 3-07, Joint doctrine for Military Operations Other Than War (MOOTW),

Joint Publication 3-07.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Peace

Operations; and U.S. Army Field Manual 100-23, Peace Operations. Another reference

is the Joint Task Force commander's Handbook for Peace Operations. Peace operations

fall under the Military Operations Other Than War umbrella. There are various

operations associated with MOOTW, but this discussion shall be limited to peace

operations. Peace operations encompass three types of activities: support to diplomacy,

peacekeeping, and peace enforcement.

The first type is support to diplomacy, which has become increasingly more

important in recent years, but military action takes a back seat to diplomatic initiatives in

this arena. Many of the military actions that support this peace operation are typical, day-

to-day military missions. 16 As stated earlier, this monograph will focus on peacekeeping

and peace enforcement operational aspects.

The second type of peace operation is peacekeeping. Peacekeeping involves

military operations that are undertaken with the consent of all major belligerent parties.

These operations are designed to monitor and facilitate implementation of an existing

truce agreement and support diplomatic efforts to reach a long-term political settlement.

16
FM 100-23, 3.

9
Peacekeeping activities include observation and monitoring of truces and cease-fires and

supervision of truces. 17

While observing and monitoring truces and cease-fires, military personnel may

have to observe, monitor, verify, and report that parties to a dispute abide by the

commitments they agreed to, such as truces and cease-fires. The forces may have to

monitor a developing situation and report on events to the authorizing authority. During

these types of operations, soldiers must remain impartial and responsible to the

authorizing authority. 18 These forces are generally armed with only their organic small

arms. However, they may deploy with other larger weapons if the threat dictates. 19

Peace enforcement is the application of military force or the threat of its use,

normally pursuant to international authorization, to compel compliance with generally

accepted resolutions or sanctions. The purpose of peace enforcement is to maintain or

restore peace and support diplomatic efforts to reach a long-term political settlement. 20

Peace enforcement may include combat action. Transitioning to combat action

means the unit must possess warfighting skills. Thus, in a theater of operations both

combat and noncombat actions may occur simultaneously. Forces conducting peace

enforcement may, for example, be involved in the forcible separation of belligerent

parties or be engaged in combat with one or all parties to the conflict. 21

17
Joint Publication 3-07.3, I-6.
18
FM 100-23, 4.
19
Ibid., 5.
20
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-7.
21
FM 100-23, 6.

10
 There are three elements of peace enforcement operations. They are phases,

forces, and missions. All peace enforcement operations have several phases. The first

phase is a rapid deployment to establish a strong military presence in the area of

operations. Subsequent phases will include the transition from a military presence to

support for civil authority. The forces deployed normally include infantry, engineer,

military police, and aviation units that are armed according to the commander's estimate

and METT-TC (Mission, Enemy, Terrain, Troops available, Time available and Civilian

considerations). The missions assigned to peace enforcement force include the restoration

and maintenance of order and stability, protection of humanitarian assistance, guarantee

and denial of movement, enforcement of sanctions, establishment and supervision of

protected zones, forcible separation of belligerent parties, and other operations as

determined by the authorizing body. 22

Peacekeeping vs. Peace enforcement

There is a clear difference between peacekeeping and peace enforcement

operations. Although both are peace operations, they are not part of a continuum. A

distinct demarcation line separates these operations. Peacekeeping and peace enforcement

operations take place under different circumstances that are characterized by the

differences in three critical variables- consent, impartiality, and force (Figure 4).

VARIABLES PEACEKEEPING PEACE ENFORCEMENT

Consent High Low
Impartiality High Low
Force Low High/Low
(Self defense/defense of mandate) Sufficient to compel/coerce
23
Figure 4

22
FM 100-23, 7.
23
Ibid., 13.

11
 Consent is evident where parties to the conflict, those that share responsibility for

the strife, exhibit a desire to accomplish the goals of the operation. Consent, however,

may shift during the course of a military operation. 24 In traditional peacekeeping

operations, any decline in consent is of significant concern to the peace operation

commander and may unfavorably influence the subsequent development of the campaign.

Crossing the consent divide between peacekeeping and peace enforcement fundamentally

changes the operation. Commanders should avoid hasty actions that unintentionally cause

a degradation of the level and extent of consent. 25

Impartiality means that the peace operations force will treat all sides in a fair and

even-handed manner, recognizing neither aggressor nor victim. This implies the force

will carry out its tasks in a way that fosters the goals of the mandate rather than the goals

of the parties. The central goal of peace enforcement is the achievement of the mandate,

not maintenance of impartiality. Although desired, the peace enforcement force may not

be able to attain this. The French currently use a method called active impartiality during

peace enforcement operations where they focus on current behavior of the involved

parties employing force because of what is being done, not because of whom is doing it. 26

Compromised impartiality may trigger an uncontrollable escalation from a peacekeeping

to a peace enforcement situation by crossing the consent divide. In circumstances where

24
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-10.
25
FM 100-23, 13.
26
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-10.

12
the required degree of impartiality is unclear, the commander must press the authorizing

body for clarity since misunderstanding can be disastrous. 27

The use of force is not precluded in either type of peace operation. While

traditional peacekeeping is generally nonviolent, peace enforcement may include very

violent combat actions. 28 In peacekeeping the use of force is for self-defense. In peace

enforcement operations, force is used to compel or coerce compliance with established

rules. 29 Of the three variables, the level of force is usually the only one over which the

commander can exert influence. Therefore commanders must be judicious in employing

force. 30 Commanders must be aware of each variable and how each impacts on the

mission and understand the importance of maintaining a proper balance of each in order

to successfully accomplish the assigned mission.

Principles of Peace Operations

Peace operations are also guided by the six Principles of Peace Operations. In

addition to these principles, the principles of war should be considered when planning

operations that may include combat action. The Principles of Peace Operations are

objective, unity of effort, security, perseverance, restraint, and legitimacy. 31

The first principle, Objective, is defined the same for peace operations as it is for

combat operations. All military operations will be directed towards a clearly defined,

decisive, and attainable objective. The objective in these cases will be defined by the

27
FM 100-23, 13.
28
Ibid.
29
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-10.
30
FM 100-23, 13.
31
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-7.

13
resolution or mandate. Commanders must understand that political considerations will

drive military operations and the refinement of the endstate is iterative. 32

The second principle, Unity of Effort, is also the same as the principle of war

definition. Commanders should seek Unity of Effort toward every objective. In peace

operations, the military may not be the lead agency. The commander should seek a

coordination structure that incorporates activities of all elements in the area, whether it is

nongovernmental, private or voluntary organization. Establishment of extensive liaison,

communications, and cooperation is required to make the operations succeed. 33

Security, the third principle, is defined as never permitting a hostile faction to

acquire an unexpected advantage. Force protection measures are generally associated

with this principle. Security also enhances the legitimacy and impartiality of the force.

Ensuring freedom of action throughout the joint area is important, and the type of

operation may extend this protection to nongovernmental and private voluntary

organizations. 34

The principle of Perseverance means preparing for measured and protracted

application of military capability in support of strategic aims. In peace operations the

military should prepare for long protracted operations. Developing a coherent

information operations strategy is key and gauging social and political progress is critical

to measuring success of the operation. A delicate balance exists between attaining

objectives quickly and achieving strategic aims over the long term.

32
Joint Warfighting Center, Joint Task Force Commander's Handbook for Peace Operations (Washington,
DC: 16 June 1997), I-10.
33
Ibid.
34
Ibid.

14
 Restraint is the appropriate application of military capability. This involves the

disciplined application of force, tactics, and rules of engagement. These should be

justified and carefully controlled, and the use of mediation and negotiation can diffuse a

crisis and provide societal "face-saving" options for the commander to use to his

advantage. This principle is closely related to the last principle, Legitimacy.

Legitimacy involves sustaining the willing acceptance by the people of the right

of the government to govern, or a group or agency to make and carry out decisions. Using

public affairs, civil affairs and psychological operations to enhance perceptions can

greatly add to the legitimacy of the force and the host nation government. Impartiality is

critical as is avoiding any action that inadvertently legitimizes one faction over another. 35

These principles are critical to mission success. They provide a peace operation

force a set of guidelines from which to understand their environment and to ensure

appropriate military force is applied given the situation or type of operation. The

misapplication of these can undermine any success gained in a peace operation. Losing

legitimacy, lackadaisical security, or not showing proper restraint can destroy confidence

in a peace operation in the eyes of the belligerents. Not having a clearly defined objective

can be the death of a peace operation. Without this, the force may wander away from

what is important. The objective must be clear. These principles serve to remind the

commander of what is important.

The Peace Operations Environment

Understanding the variables and principles is critical to peace operations but

defining the environment they are applied in is the foundation. Peacekeeping and peace

35
JTF Handbook for Peace Opns, I-10.

15
enforcement operations vary greatly in nature and scope, but the environments of these

operations and activities share some common characteristics.

The first principle is the primacy of political objectives. In peace operations,

political objectives drive military decisions at every level, from the strategic to tactical.

Military personnel should understand that their actions could negatively affect the desired

objectives of the mission. Adjustments to the mission may be needed, and must be linked

to a changing political environment. 36

Peace operations often take place in situations that are complex, ambiguous, and

uncertain. This makes military operations highly fluid and dynamic. The ability to react

quickly to a changing environment is essential to mission success. Commanders must

provide clear guidance, and ensure they get clarification to changing political objectives

in order to ensure proper military support to these objectives. 37

The belligerents or parties to the dispute may or may not be professional armies or

organized groups under a reliable chain of command. The belligerents may be groups of

irregulars, crime syndicates, or other loosely organized hostile elements of the

population. Under these circumstances, decisions by the recognized leaders may not bind

the subordinate elements. The U.S. military commander may have to deal with multiple

factions, all with their own agenda, and consider which is the best course of action to

ensure a peaceful end. Weapons that a military peace operations force may encounter

range from conventional munitions and mines to weapons of mass destruction. Some

36
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-12.
37
Ibid.

16
belligerents may have modern weapon systems such as surface-to-air missiles and long

range mortars. 38

Much closer civil-military cooperation and communication is required to ensure a

thorough understanding of the endstate desired. The location of peace operations has

historically been in austere or highly populated urban environments. Logistics is a major

challenge when conducting these operations. Careful time phasing of the appropriate

resources is critical to accomplishing the mission. The duration of peace operations is

another planning factor that requires attention. Most peace operations are conducted on

short notice, but usually will require a long-term commitment on the part of the peace

force. Establishing criteria and conditions which define a successful end state in as timely

a fashion as possible and directing efforts to that end state are important. 39

Developing the proper force structure and composition is critical to conducting a

successful peace operation. Using all the various services' capabilities provides flexibility

and mitigates risk to the mission. Relying solely on one service may hinder the force's

flexibility. Force composition should be robust enough to respond to unanticipated

situations that may arise. Force caps may be ordered on certain missions, but planners

should avoid any force caps that may increase the risk to the force once it deploys. Unit

integrity is key to success. Units that have trained together are more likely to be able to

adjust to a highly fluid and dynamic environment than an ad hoc unit put together solely

for the mission. 40

38
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-13.
39
Ibid.
40
Ibid., I-14.

17
 Force Protection considerations are central to all aspects of peace operations

planning and execution, particularly when the mission is a PEO or PKO that involves

interposition between former belligerent forces. Even in relatively benign environments,

force protection measures will be employed commensurate with the security risks to the

force. 41 Rules of Engagement (ROE) and weapons control policies are aspects of force

protection, and having the right ROE is essential to mission success. The impartiality of

the force is also another aspect of force protection that most do not think about. Ensuring

the force remains impartial will lessen the tension of the belligerents and begin building

the confidence of the belligerents in the peace operations force capabilities to maintain

order. As confidence rises, the desire to take action against the force will lessen.

A final aspect of the peace operations environment is civil disturbances. PKO and

PEO will most likely include civil disturbances. Mishandling a civil disturbance and

letting it get out of control can potentially have a long lasting negative impact on the

mission. Handling a disturbance well can lead to fewer instances in the future. Some

ways to control civil disturbances are to isolate in time a space the trouble spot from

outside influences. Using a system of checkpoints to limit access of instigators to the area

can lessen tension at the site. Dominating a situation through presence and controlling

information resources can lessen the desire of individuals to instigate a disturbance.

Multi-dimensional actions can lessen the influence of the troublemakers. These actions

may involve convincing media to cooperate with the peace force or using non-lethal

41
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-14.

18
assets to quell a situation before it escalates. 42 ASV use in these situations must be strictly

controlled. The possibility of escalating the tension exists.

Summary

The differences between peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations are

distinct. The crossing of the consent divide, the degree of impartiality, and the use of

force provide a clear demarcation line between the operations. The six principles of peace

operations and the characteristics of the peace environment provide a foundation for

understanding peace operations and to ensure that military force is applied prudently. It is

critical to mission success for commanders to understand these variables, principles, and

characteristics or the misapplication of military force might not meet the endstate

objectives.

42
Joint Pub 3-07.3, I-20.

19
 CHAPTER 3

THE ASV IN HISTORY

Beginning with the M8 "Greyhound" vehicle in World War II, many wheeled

armored security vehicles have been used by the United States. The employment of

armored cars in peace operations, by many countries throughout the world, has been

varied and extensive. The ability of these vehicles to rapidly adapt to changing conditions

and missions has been a bonus to countries that employ them. Understanding how these

vehicles were used in past operations can provide a basis of comparison to discuss ASV

employment as a visible or focused presence in the future.

The V-100 Armored Car in Vietnam

In Vietnam, the V-100 Commando armored car was employed by the United

States against the communist forces of North Vietnam and Vietcong insurgents. Studying

how the military police in Vietnam employed the V-100 will be beneficial to

understanding the limitations and characteristics of wheeled armored vehicles in

operations. Vietnam was a war, and as noted earlier, peace enforcement operations are

akin to combat operations. MP doctrine states that MP support to units during peace

enforcement operations should mirror the support given during combat.

The V-100 was an amphibious and multi-purpose combat vehicle designed to

function as a personnel carrier, reconnaissance vehicle, convoy escort, or a patrol and riot

control vehicle. The Commando provided protection against .30-Caliber rounds and with

additional armor added to select locations, it could withstand .50-caliber rounds. The

vehicles V-6 Diesel engine could achieve speeds of sixty miles per hour. This vehicle

20
was outfitted with the newly developed run flat tires in the 1960s. This greatly increased

the mobility of the vehicle. 43

The small, fully enclosed, gun turret mounted a variety of weapons. It usually

carried twin .30-caliber machine guns, but could also mount a 30/50-caliber machine gun

combination, twin 7.62mm machine guns, or twin .223-caliber Stoner machine guns. This

turret was also capable of mounting an automatic grenade launcher or water cannon for

riot control. It was capable of mounting one 20mm cannon with a specially modified

turret. 44

According to an armored car survey conducted in February 1974, personnel

associated with the V-100 operations in Vietnam stated that forty-nine percent of the

missions conducted by the V-100s were convoy security missions. Conducting road

patrols and base defense tasks were conducted fifteen and thirteen percent respectively. 45

This high rate of convoy security missions is attributed to the idea that the V-100 was

primarily designed as an armored convoy escort vehicle. It was not until four years later,

that the V-100 was significantly employed in the other missions of road patrols and base

defense. 46

The V-100s arrived in theater in July 1967. The 18th MP Brigade was allocated

six V-100s in order to evaluate their capabilities and limitations. At the end of the

evaluation in January 1968, the vehicle was accepted into the inventory and an additional

43
James B. Carroll, Captain, "The Commando Armored Car." Armor (September-October 1965), 36.
44
Ibid., 37.
45
Department of the Army, Armored Car Survey Report (Washington, DC, Feb 1974), 1.
46
Department of the Army, Operational Report-Lessons Learned, 93d Military Police Battalion, Period
ending 30 April 1971, RCS CSFOR-65 (Washington, DC, 26 May 1971), 3.

21
sixty-six vehicles were requested for the rest of the Brigade's units. After the introduction

of a large number of these vehicles into the theater, a study was conducted on MP

employment of the vehicles. The study recommended that twelve vehicles be assigned to

each company. 47

Placing the V-100s in the convoy security role provided many advantages.

The 500th Transportation Group operational report for the period ending 30 April 1969

states that "the mere presence of the V-100 increases morale of all convoy personnel by

its armored appearance, and the quality of its weapon system. The armor protection and

increased firepower of the twin thirty caliber machine guns make this vehicle far superior

to an M-151"48 . The M-151 was the standard jeep with a pedestal-mounted machine gun

mounted in the back.

The operational report stated that the V-100 was easier to maintain, traveled at the

same speeds, and had better cross-country mobility than the M-151 jeep. The

Transportation Group recommended that the V-100s be considered for use within the

Group itself and used to escort all convoys within the Republic of Vietnam. 49

Change 1 to FM 19-4, Operational Employment of Armored Cars

On 8 September 1969, Change 1 to Field Manual 19-4 was issued. Some of the

basic factors considered in the optimum employment of the V-100 when requirements

exceeded assets included: (a) priority of the mission, (b) essentiality of using armored

47
Operational Report-Lessons Learned, 504th MP Bn, 89th MP Gp, et al, 24.
48
Department of the Army, Operational Report- Lessons Learned, 500th Transportation Group, Period
ending 30 April 1969 (Washington, DC, 5 September 1969), 3.
49
500th Transportation Group Operational Report, 4.

22
cars, (c) number of armored cars available, (d) vulnerability of the route, (e) type and

volume of traffic, and (f) the availability of alternate routes.

The Field Manual change included discussions on support to tactical operations

(offense and defense), convoy security and route reconnaissance, physical security, rear

area protection, and special employment such as civil disturbances. The V-100 had utility

in the attack as a base of fire platform to support a dismounted attack, or as a reaction

force to block enemy counterattacks and reinforce other units in emergency situations. 50

In the defense it could provide excellent mobile patrols between checkpoints and

roadblocks established in the rear area, and could also be used in pairs to cover

withdrawals of units. They could be used as perimeter security if needed but were much

more useful in a mobile role. 51

In a physical security role, the armored cars could provide a psychological

deterrent to enemy attempts to penetrate or take action against friendly facilities.

Armored cars could be employed where a definite threat against a facility was expected.

Primary employment of the armored cars would be in a mobile as opposed to a static role.

This allowed the armored cars to provide a rapid response to any threat within the area of

operations. 52

In civil disturbances, employing the V-100s was a sensitive issue. The V-100

presented a formidable appearance and its premature introduction in to the scene may

have increased instead of lessened the tension in a situation. The vehicle also had a wide

50
Department of the Army, Change 1 to Field Manual 19-4, Military Police Support, Theater of Operations
(Washington, DC, 8 September 1969), 19-7.
51
Ibid.
52
Ibid., 19-10.

23
turning radius, and its employment in built up areas would have caused a significant

problem if required to reverse direction. Employing multiple armored cars together in a

"task force" was one method of using them to support civil disturbance operations. These

task forces would be used against larger, hard-core resistance groups or mobs. In

conjunction with dismounted troops it was very effective and provided some cover for
53
dismounts if needed.

The V-100s in Vietnam performed superbly. Their design and capabilities greatly

increased the effectiveness of the combat Military Police in theater. The V-100s provided

much better security to units than the M151 Gun Jeep. The vehicle did provide a

psychological boost in morale to the units it supported as noted in the 500th

Transportation Group report. The more lethal firepower and survivability of the vehicle

meant the difference between life and death to many soldiers. Convoys experienced a

much lower ambush rate when the V-100 arrived in theater. As the ambush threat

diminished, the V-100 was used for other missions as well. Their organization and

allocation to the various units however, was under constant review by the 18th MP

Brigade, and determining the best employment method of this limited resource was a

constant problem.

Applying the operational variables to Vietnam shows that the consent divide was

crossed, and there was a high degree of impartiality and high use of force. This is

analogous to a peace enforcement operation for the purposes of this paper, since MP

support Peace enforcement operations the same way they support combat operations.

53
Change 1, FM 19-4, 19-11.

24
 In Vietnam, the V-100s were initially given a very strict convoy escort mission,

and employed as a focused presence. This was due to the high ambush rates of convoys

by the Vietcong and North Vietnamese Army. The limited numbers of vehicles in theater

also forced higher headquarters to strictly control the employment of the vehicles. As the

situation and threat changed, the V-100s were employed as a visible presence and

conducted more mobile patrols and base defense missions.

The Need for ASVs in Somalia

Somalia was classified as a peace enforcement operation, and the intent of the

mission was to establish and enforce a secure and stable environment under which

foodstuffs could be moved to starving people within the country. In order to do that,

many engagements and situations occurred with some involving combat. On 3 December

1992, the United Nations Security Council adopted Resolution 794, approving the use of

"all necessary means to establish as soon as possible a secure environment for

humanitarian relief operations in Somalia."54 The populace of Somalia had been starving

for months during the earlier part of 1992, and the government structure had broken

down. The power in Somalia was in the hands of a few warlords. The most notable being

General Mohamed Farah Aideed, who was the leader of the Somali National Alliance.

The deployment of troops, securing of airports and other transportation facilities, moving

tons of material in support of the troops, and distributing vast quantities of relief food to

remote villages and other famine locations prevented massive starvation and was clearly

a major accomplishment of the international intervention. 55 From January to June 1993,

54
Terence Lyons and Ahmed I Samatar, Somalia: State Collapse, Multilateral Intervention, and Strategies
for Political Reconstruction (Washington, D.C.: Brookings Occasional Papers, 1995), 34.
55
Ibid., 39.

25
people were fed while many conferences and negotiations were held to bring peace back

to Somalia. On 5 June 1993, one event would irreversibly change the course of

diplomacy. A group of Pakistani soldiers were ambushed and many were killed while

conducting a routine inspection of a weapon cache belonging to Aideed. The UN and US

officials determined it to be Aideed, and the hunt began. 56 In August, Special Operations

Forces were requested to assist in finding Aideed, and these forces were in place by

September 1993.

There was a significant anti armor threat in Somalia however. Many Somali

militias had RPGs and heavy machine guns in their inventory. These would pose a

difficult problem for the lighter US forces if a decisive engagement occurred. Just weeks

before the fateful Task Force Ranger raid, DOD rejected a request by the task force for

Abrams tanks and Bradley armored vehicles. It seems fairly obvious that a light infantry

force trapped in a hostile city would be better off with armored vehicles to pull them out.

Many of the men who fought in Mogadishu believe that at least some, if not all, of their

friends would have survived the mission if the Clinton administration had been more

concerned about force protection than maintaining the correct political posture. 57 The

U.S. did not want the world to think this operation was anything but a humanitarian

assistance operation.

In the after action review conducted by the 10th Mountain Division (Light

Infantry), it stated that MPs performed a wide range of missions in support of the

56
Terence Lyons, 57.
57
Mark Bowden, Blackhawk Down, A Story of Modern War (New York, NY: Atlantic Monthly Press,
1999), 335.

26
operation. The ARFOR commander used the MPs as a combat multiplier in combat and

combat support roles. The MPs flexibility and wide range of capabilities provided the

commander with many options when facing a very elusive enemy. 58

The MPs in Somalia supported various infantry Task Forces on combat and

combat support missions, conducted long haul convoy escorts, and provided reaction

forces for base clusters. Operation Restore Hope proved to be a classic military police

environment. The similarities between the rear battle operations that the MPs train for on

a daily basis as well as the unique requirements of the peace operations environment

showed the versatility of the military police. MPs understanding of restricted rules of

engagement proved vital to showing restraint in a number of tense situations. 59

When discussing the mobility of infantry forces, the AAR concludes by stating

that some additional firepower and mobility could be added to the infantry units with the

addition of some wheeled light armored vehicles, such as the U.S. Marine Corps LAV. It

says that not all units need these but some should be task organized to a unit for a specific

mission or requirement and would prove valuable in this environment. The LAVs

protection, firepower and psychological advantage would prove valuable to a light

infantry force. As a force multiplier and complementary system to infantry forces, the

LAVs would definitely assist infantry units in the same missions in the future. 60

It is obvious that the 10th Mountain Division would have welcomed a platoon or

more of ASVs supporting them in their missions. All the benefits discussed in the AAR

58
Combat Studies Institute, Case Studies in U.S. Peace Operations and Interventions Since World War II,
CD ROM Version1, Headquarters, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and Fort Drum, ARFOR After
Action Report for Operation Restore Hope. Fort Drum, New York, 2 June 1993 (Fort Leavenworth, KS,
March 1999), 58.
59
Ibid., 59.

27
are the exact reasons the ASV will be a significant peace multiplier during peace

enforcement operations. It also mentions the need to task organize these vehicles to

support specific missions. Infantry missions requiring a higher combat capability would

be well suited for the ASV.

ASVs would have been a welcome addition to the infantry units in Somalia. The

vehicle's superior firepower and protection would have greatly enhanced the security of

the units. By task organizing the units properly, they could have influenced specific

operations when needed. Whether supporting infantry Task Forces, securing convoys, or

providing a reaction force in Mogadishu, the ASVs would have done well.

The MPs ability to operate effectively under difficult circumstances will be of

great value when the ASV is fielded. The restraint shown by MP in Somalia highlights

their ability to operate within a peace operation environment. The MP commander on the

ground must understand that the ASV's presence at a situation may heighten the tension.

It is a combat vehicle and presents a formidable appearance and obstacle to overcome. In

some circumstances, it may be better to use HMMWV mounted MPs instead of ASVs.

This all returns back to the consent, use of force, and impartiality guidelines discussed

earlier. In Somalia, the consent divide was crossed repeatedly by the various clans.

Having the ASV available when the consent divide is crossed will be extremely valuable

to a commander. In Somalia, employing the ASV as a visible presence to show U.S.

determination and send a message not to interrupt our operations would probably have

been the best employment concept.

60
Ibid., 60.

28
 The British LAV Experience

The British have used LAVs extensively in their military since World War II, and

have a keen understanding of LAV capabilities. According to Colonel Michael Cullinen,

a British Armor Officer, the LAV design emphasizes mobility with limited firepower and

relatively little protection. It will not stop a Rocket Propelled Grenade (RPG) or larger

rounds. A LAV does have the advantage of added flexibility, which stems from the

versatile nature of the vehicle and the excellent communications system that each vehicle

possesses. 61

LAVs have great mobility on primary and secondary roads and good endurance.

A light armored force can take on a wide-ranging set of operations and achieve quick

shifts in weight and direction of operations. They are useless when on the move however.

The fire control system is not stabilized and engaging an enemy effectively while moving

is near impossible. 62

Limited armor protection makes them sometimes vulnerable to antitank fires,

mines and direct hits by artillery. LAVs give the crew some protection as noted earlier. In

order to maximize this protection, LAVs must use terrain to cover its movement to offset

its lightweight armor.

Conducting quick diversionary attacks against heliborne or parachute landings,

bridgeheads, and other such targets are suitable missions for LAVs. If there is a lack of

organic heavy armor in the force, it is almost inevitable that they will be called upon to

61
Michael E. Cullinen, Colonel, British Army, “Light Armour in Light Force Operations,” Military
Digest (May 2000), 22.
62
Ibid., 23.

29
engage and defeat enemy armor forces. It is very risky to ask light armor to engage heavy

armor, but under some circumstances and conditions, it may be possible. 63

Light armor forces can conduct a screen line if needed. If the proper sectors can

be found, their sights can provide increased visibility over the area. The ability to rapidly

move and engage enemy vehicles also is a bonus. If called upon to do so, the unit can act

as a delaying force also. 64

Mobile patrols are a prime task. Route and area reconnaissance, intelligence

gathering, and joint mobile/foot patrols have been extremely useful employment for light

armor in the past. They are very helpful to foot patrols which need additional

reinforcement or firepower support. Escorts for VIPs or supply convoys have been the

most prominent of all tasks. They provide excellent protection in these instances.

When involved in crowd control, the British have determined that it is advisable

to keep LAVs away from the crowd. They can only be effective as a threat, much like

that of a policeman on a horse, but can provide excellent roadblocks and communications

when dealing with disturbances. 65 The ability to rapidly move to a location and establish

a roadblock is extremely beneficial to the commander. LAVs can also remove roadblocks

by crashing through them or using grappling hooks to remove them. Wheeled LAVs must

be extremely careful when trying this. They may high center themselves and become part

of the roadblock themselves. Barrier removal equipment must be installed on the vehicle

before attempting this task. All British LAVs involved in crowd control operations are

63
Cullinen, 24.
64
Ibid.
65
Ibid., 25.

30
equipped with barrier removal equipment. Another good use for them is forming an outer

cordon to ward off people from entering a location.

British Army operations in Northern Ireland

LAVs have been used for many years in support of British Army operations in

Northern Ireland. Major Douglas M. Chalmers, of The Royal Irish Regiment, British

Army, provided valuable assistance explaining British operations in that country. He was

born in N. Ireland, and has served over four years there conducting a mix of rural and

urban operations. He states that British Army operations in Northern Ireland are

categorized as Military Aid to the Civil Power. The Army's mission is to support the

Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) in maintaining law and order and combating terrorism

through the conduct of operations to deter terrorist activity. 66

The British use numerous different types of LAVs to support their operations. The

Snatch is a light armored Land Rover with a powerful engine. It looks very similar to a

commercial Land Rover in shape and size, and is the most commonly used vehicle within

the theater. It is also being used in Bosnia and Kosovo to support operations there. The

APV is a heavier and better-protected version of the Snatch, that is used mainly in urban

areas, specifically North Belfast, West Belfast, and Londonderry. These are the more

heavily contested areas of N. Ireland. The Saxon is the squad vehicle that is used in

British mechanized battalions. It is a box shaped vehicle with four wheels, and is capable

of carrying four riflemen with equipment. It is capable of being fitted with a turret, but

the versions in use in N. Ireland do not have a turret. All Saxons have a barricade bumper

66
Douglas M. Chalmers, Major, The Royal Irish Regiment, British Army, interview by author, 16
November 2000, question sheet, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 1.

31
for clearing obstacles if necessary. 67 Of note, all British LAVs have stone grills covering

all windows and viewports in order to protect them from rocks and other thrown objects.

The British use their LAVs for patrolling, and as a Quick Reaction Force. During

public order (civil disturbance) operations, the vehicles are used as a physical barrier and

form an integral part of the British Army public order drills.

Just as with any LAV, these vehicles are not totally mine proof. They can

withstand small mines, but some command-detonated mines of fifty pounds and up have

been set off in N. Ireland in the past. Visibility is a problem unless sentries are posted in

the top hatches of the vehicles for observation. Just as with mines, the vehicles will not

protect the crew from large shaped charges, such as RPGs. 68

The British Army has developed a superb method of patrolling in N. Ireland that

would easily support U.S. peace operations. The British call it "3D patrolling". It

involves a mix of foot patrols, mobile patrols, and helicopter or camera-overwatch. The

foot patrols conduct the local patrols, execute the primary tasks, and usually are the main

effort during operations. The mobile patrols are usually not too far away and are the

supporting effort. They can react quickly if more firepower or protection is needed for the

foot patrols. The helicopter or cameras act as another supporting effort in the operation.

All three elements of the technique do not need to be operational at once. For instance,

mobile patrols may support a foot patrol during the first part of an operation, while

67
Chalmers, 1.
68
Ibid., 2.

32
helicopter or camera support may be employed later in the operation. Depending on the

threat, all three may be utilized. 69

British operations in Northern Ireland are characterized by maintaining law and

order, and combating terrorism. At any point in time, the consent divide may be crossed

and the Army uses its LAVs to support foot patrols. The need to use force may occur at

any time, and the British Army ensures that its LAVs are used in a visible presence to

serve as a deterrent to rioting and terrorism.

Summary

ASVs have been used since World War II in various configurations and for

various missions. The V-100 in Vietnam was used extensively by the MP to perform and

wide range of missions and it performed as expected. Its introduction in the theater

lowered ambush rates, which allowed them to be used for other missions. The flexibility

the V-100 provided the MP commander greatly enhanced the combat fighting capability

of the units.

In Somalia, the June 1993 10th Mountain AAR, and the October 1993 Task Force

Ranger debacle, proved the need for ASVs by stating the need for a LAV to support

operations within the country. The mission and the peace enforcement environment

dictated the need for LAVs. The ASV would have been a welcome addition to the Task

Forces on the ground by providing better security and protection. Employed as a visible

presence, the ASVs would have provided a show of strength to the Somali people and

possibly lessened the Somali's desire to act against UN forces.

69
Chalmers, 3.

33
 The British experience and methods of using their LAVs in N. Ireland are another

example for U.S. military police to study and determine if any of the lessons learned by

the British can be applicable to our operations. The 3D method of patrolling and the

various configurations of their LAVs can serve to make us question our own methods and

configurations for the ASV. The use of joint foot and mobile patrols, combined with

another element such as helicopters or cameras, is a superb method of patrolling in an

urban environment. This 3D method should be emulated within U.S. peace operations

doctrine.

34
 CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSIONS

Military Police are extremely well suited to conduct peace operations. FM 3-19.1

states that military police core competencies are highly compatible with those required

for peace operations. Military Police provide a highly trained and capable force that is

more politically acceptable in peace operations than a combat arms force. The inherent

characteristics of mobility, communications, self-protection capability and training allow

Military Police to support peacekeeping operations fully. The Military Police also bring a

significant combat capability if the situation dictates. 70 The signature of the military

Police as a police force, rather than a combat force, often defuses tensions. 71

The basic Military Police force structure for peace operations is situation

dependent. The principle of consent affects the composition of the force. Most peace

operations are characterized by limitations on the use of force. Military Police excel in

this aspect, as they are experienced in applying varying degrees of force to de-escalate a

situation before it becomes unstable, but understand when to apply more force if the

situation dictates. 72

Military Police conduct many missions during peace operations which include

route and area reconnaissance; operate mounted and dismounted patrols; operate LP/OPs;

provide humanitarian assistance; investigate possible terrorist and criminal acts and cease

fire and sanctions violations; and gather information. Military Police also disseminate

70
Headquarters, Department of the Army. U.S. Field Manual 3-19.1 Military Police Operations
(Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 18 Jun 2000), 11-2.
71
Joint Pub 3-07.3, II-5.
72
FM 3-19.1, 11-15.

35
information and provide crucial support to force protection. Crowd and riot control is

another aspect of peace operations in which military police participate. Military police

are an ideal force for controlling enraged mobs. Military police understand how to

employ the varying levels of force to include lethal force if the situation requires it, and

employing them early with a peace operation force can provide force protection for initial

air/sea ports of embarkation and headquarters. Military Police participating in peace

enforcement operations support these types of operations in the same ways they support

combat operations. 73

Organizing the ASVs within the companies is a critical matter that must be

discussed. During the Vietnam War, the lack of V-100 armored cars to support operations

caused many problems for the military police, and the authorizations per company

significantly hampered the proper employment of the vehicles. The problem was that

twelve V-100s were authorized to each MP Company in theater. Experience showed that

not all MP companies needed twelve vehicles. Some companies performed Law and

Order missions primarily and did not have a great need for V-100s. MP companies that

had a significant amount of tactical combat support and convoy escort missions needed

considerably more V-100s than were authorized. This created problems for the MP units

in Vietnam because it was very difficult to get V-100s transferred to the right places in

theater. Flexibility in assigning the vehicles to missions and locations was needed. The

18th MP brigade recommended that one unit in theater should be authorized the vehicles,

73
FM 3-19.1, 11-17.

36
and that unit could more easily allocate this limited resource within the theater to best

serve the needs of the command. 74

This problem of how best to task organize the V-100s in Vietnam, leads to the

issue of organizing ASVs within the MP companies today. The current structure

authorizes one ASV per squad. This creates the same problems the 18th MP brigade faced

in Vietnam with the V-100s. The Army Concept Team in Vietnam (ACTIV) Report on

MP Armored Cars states:

It was felt however, that a separate [V-100] platoon should be organized within
the company in order to consolidate assets for more effective training, maintenance
support, and employment. This implementation would preserve unity of command,
continuity, and in recognition of some of the most significant problems observed by
evaluators, develop and retain expertise. 75

Modern units will still have a limited resource along with potential requirements that

exceed the unit's capacity to fill them, just as in Vietnam. The amount of high priority

missions, especially given the reduced logistics footprint and importance of just in time

logistics will make the ASV an important asset to a Corps and Division Commander. The

need to secure supply convoys in theater will greatly increase. The MP companies will

quickly find that requests for ASV support will increase. The ACTIV Report also stated

that once the V-100s were introduced into the theater, it became a mission-essential

vehicle, which resulted in a higher usage rate than expected. From its introduction into

74
Department of the Army, Operational Report- Lessons Learned, 504th MP Bn, 89th MP Gp, 16th MP Gp,
18 th MP Bde, 720th MP Bn, 8 th MP Gp, Period ending 30 April 71 (Washington, DC, 4 October 1971), 24.
75
Department of the Army, Army Concept Team in Vietnam, Final Report- XM706 Armored Car in
Military Police Operations, ACTIV Project No. ACG-70F (APO San Francisco 96384, 18 July 1970), VII-
9.

37
theater in 1967, the most common organizational structure for the V-100s was as a

platoon. 76

How the ASVs are currently organized within the companies could significantly

influence the tactical and operational flexibility of the MP Corps. Granted, the Military

Police are built around the MP team, but collective training as squads and platoons is

critical to mission success. The piecemealing of ASVs within the company does not

provide the requisite supervision over standardizing training and gunnery. Instead of

assigning one ASV per squad, assign one ASV Squad per platoon (2 x light squads, 1 x

heavy squad), or one ASV platoon per Company (3 x light platoons, 1 x heavy platoon).

This provides less turmoil within the squad structure and more flexibility to the

command. The squads would not be consistently split apart for the ASVs to work on

other missions, and supervision of the ASV crews would be consistent.

Task organizing ASVs with HMMWVs for collective training and combat

could be similar to the methods the U.S. Army Mechanized Infantry and Armor units

train and fight. Individual through platoon training is conducted as a pure formation in

these units, and then they task organize for collective training and combat at the company

team level when needed. For example, if a mechanized platoon is assigned a mission as a

tactical combat force, it can be allocated with little problem or confusion within the

mechanized company structure.

Task organizing ASVs and HMMWVs in much the same way will provide much

more tactical and operational flexibility to the MP commander to best achieve the higher

commander's endstate objectives. Instead of tasking out ASVs from three squads to

76
ACTIV Report, VII-12.

38
conduct a high-risk mission, it would be much easier to assign an ASV squad to the

mission. The benefit is that the squad has consistent leadership and has trained

collectively.

The Military Police have significantly increased the combat fighting capability of

their soldiers. The ASV is a superb weapon system that offers increased firepower and

protection for Military Police. The operational capability gap that the ASV fills between

the Up-armored HMMWV and the M113/BFV will allow future MP commanders and

higher level commanders to conduct full spectrum operations with more security and

efficiency.

Understanding the peace operations environment is critical to properly employing

the ASV in these operations. It is critical for the MP commander to understand the

differences associated with consent, use of force, and impartiality involved with peace

operations. Being on the lower end of the spectrum, peacekeeping presents a much

different picture to the commander. The consent given in peacekeeping requires a

minimal use of force and a high degree of impartiality by the unit. Peace Enforcement on

the other hand has many different characteristics from peacekeeping. When the consent

divide is crossed, the lack of consent on the part of the belligerents leads to more use of

force and impartiality may not be maintained given the situation. Peace Enforcement

operations may force or compel a party to comply with a mandate or agreement.

While the ASV will provide greater security to a force, the misapplication of the

ASV could hamper the peace operation. Applying military capability prudently is critical

in peace operations. Presenting too much force can hurt, instead of help a unit trying to

conduct a peacekeeping operation. Since the ASV is designed as a combat vehicle, its

39
formidable appearance at a location during a peacekeeping operation could increase

tensions between belligerents unnecessarily.

Just as the V-100 did in Vietnam, however, the ASV can have the same impact on

units today. In a peace enforcement operation, the appearance of an ASV at a firefight

can strengthen the resolve of those involved. Many of the V-100 operations in Vietnam

could provide insight to ASV operations in the future. Military Police must not discount

the past or be doomed to repeat the same mistakes. Somalia provided a prime example

where the use of LAVs would have been a welcome addition to the force. The peace

enforcement mission in Somalia was perfect for employing ASVs, had they been in the

inventory. The fact that the 10th Mountain Division recommended the need to have them

justifies the Military Police need for them also. British operations in Northern Ireland

serve as another example of the use of LAVs to support MOOTW. The category of the

British operations is different than peace operations, but similarities can be drawn from

N. Ireland and applied to possible U.S. peacekeeping and peace enforcement missions in

the future.

In summary, crossing the consent divide is the difference between peacekeeping

and peace enforcement operations. In peacekeeping missions, it is better to employ the

ASV as a focused presence in order to achieve endstate objectives. Since both parties

consent to the operation, it is imperative to maintain a benign appearance. The ASV's

appearance throughout the area of operations will not lend to impartiality or a benign

appearance to the concerned parties. With a very formidable and lethal appearance, the

ASV will not present a good picture to the two parties. Employing the ASV only at

specific times and locations will show U.S. resolve to ensure certain events are not to be

40
disrupted. The two parties will come to understand that when the ASVs are present, it is

not the time to interfere with the force. This also lends itself to showing restraint in that

military capability is applied prudently, for only specific missions.

Once the consent divide is crossed however, and the mission becomes peace

enforcement, employment of the ASV as a visible presence would be the better

employment option in order to achieve endstate objectives. The constant visibility will

show a formidable presence around the area of operation. By varying the patrol routes

and locations of the ASVs, the belligerents will not know when or where the ASVs will

appear. The increased firepower and protection will serve not only as a deterrent to the

enemy, but as a psychological boost to U.S. forces in the area. This employment option

provides greater security and quicker response times to the force, and since less restraint

is appropriate in peace enforcement operations, it would not be violating the peace

operation principle.

The addition of the ASV into the Military Police inventory provides a substantial

increase in flexibility and capability for the MP commander. Its employment as a focused

presence in peacekeeping and as a visible presence in peace enforcement operations will

provide the best means of achieving a commander's endstate objectives in peace

operations. This will further the identity of the Military Police Corps as the "Force of

Choice".

41
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Cross, Maureen W., Major. “Armored Security Vehicle (ASV).” Military Police PB 19-
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42
Lyons, Terence and Ahmed I. Samatar. Somalia: State Collapse, Multilateral
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43
Department of the Army. Armored Car Survey Report. Washington, DC, Feb 1974.

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44
45