| Friday, December 7, 2001 |
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Posted on 12/07/2001 7:16:29 AM PST by George Smiley
The Objective American Daily
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| DEFENSE: What We Learned from Pearl Harbor (PP: The Next Gen Jet) By E.G. Ross, Editor  The soldier, above all other people, prays for peace, for he must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war. TODAY, exactly sixty years ago, in a surprise attack, Japanese warplanes slammed into the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The raiders killed and maimed over two-thousand people and destroyed millions of dollars worth of defense technology. The shocking attack conclusively drew America into the war against the Japanese Imperium. The event ultimately led to the U.S. development of nuclear weapons. It also resulted in the total defeat of Japan and its reconstruction as a peaceful, capitalist republic, which today is among our staunchest allies and a major trading partner. And, at least as important, the attack led to the rise of the U.S. as the indisputable world leader, militarily, politically, economically, and technologically. The obvious lesson of Pearl Harbor—the one most of us recall—is that nasty surprises can happen; hence it is wise to be wary and prepared. But there were other, more subtle lessons. The most striking among them was how critical it is to exploit cutting edge technology for defense. This is a lesson the U.S. learned well. It continues to benefit us today, in our unique kind of warfare. For our younger, history-bereft readers, a little flashback. In 1941, the Japanese fleet of carriers and their "zero" fighter wings constituted a formidable combination. Carrier groups had never been used in war to deliver such a powerful blow to an enemy's shores. Part of the reason for the Americans' surprise was their failure to anticipate the use of this relatively cutting-edge technology. The Japanese carrier attack did for sea-to-land warfare what the German Blitzkrieg tank tactics did for pure land warfare. It fully awakened the world to new strategic possibilities. Yes, the value was known in principle. The U.S. itself already had carriers. But the Japanese attack brought its potential into the real world. What a nation understands and what it achieves are two vastly different items—proving again that while principles are necessary, they are never sufficient. In lay terms, knowing is not the same as doing. Although this lesson had somewhat softened over the years—until the 9/11 Massacre—it remains strong. America learned many good things from its grievous complacency at Pearl Harbor. Ever since, more than any of its allies or enemies, the U.S. has pioneered one advanced form of defense after another. It has gradually incorporated them into its preparedness. As a result, American strategy has always been in a dynamic flux. Desert Storm was a far different kind of war than Vietnam or World War II. The current anti-terrorism war is different again. And the next war will have yet another face. When I talk about our warfare evolution, what sort of thing do I mean? Well, for instance, the U.S. Army is now phasing out its huge main battle tanks, the M1 family (M1A1, M1A2, etc.). Over the next 20 or 30 years—and yes, the Pentagon tries to plan that far ahead—tanks probably will be replaced by an entire family of smaller, more mobile, but equally deadly multi-wheeled vehicles. These machines—using entirely new, computer-driven terrain-sensing technology—in combination with fresh generations of other weapons, such as battlefield helicopters and armed robots—will make the U.S. Army faster on the scene, more flexible, and, all told, much more powerful. In air warfare, the U.S. is gradually moving toward pilotless fighters and bombers. Over the next two or three decades, robots gradually will take pilots completely out of the battle. Using something called telepresence, men will fly these craft from hundreds, even thousands of miles away, sitting safely behind video screens in bunkers. Some of the craft, such as the UCAVs (unmanned combat air vehicles) will be full-bore, autonomous robots. They will fly their own missions. New generations of smart missiles and spy planes will also enter the equation. Some robots, such as the Predator, are already flying combat missions in Afghanistan. Loaded with air-to-ground Hellfire missiles, first the CIA and now the armed forces are using the Predators with devastating effect against tanks, troop carriers, and other targets. These same robots are providing essential surveillance for a variety of other goals and needs. In ocean warfare, giant mobile bases, a mile or more long, one day will enhance the survivability and flexibility of the U.S. sea fleets. New kinds of underwater missiles and robots will debut. Already the Navy is deploying large, fast, high-tech submarines for Seal and other Special Forces. Dozens of fantastic, stealthy ships and boats are in the planning or testing stages. Some prototypes are doubtless deployed. In space, more durable generations of military satellites are going up and older ones are being upgraded. Increasingly, as space becomes the new ocean of capitalism, the U.S. will have to build defensive systems in order to protect the space lanes of commerce and communications. People talk about how we have entered the robotic military age with the current war. But in fact we entered it back in the 1960s, with Pearl Harbor's surprise fresh in mind. That is when we launched true, unmanned spy satellites—for all intents and purposes, space robots. We have been in the Age of War Robots for decades. Also in space, the National Missile Defense is finally off the dime and moving forward. Another successful interception test took place last weekend in the Pacific. The technology is proving itself, confounding the dour doubters and the perennial pessimists. In intelligence, the Internet is becoming a new field of battle. In the Kosovo campaign, for example, Serbian defenders were astonished at how effectively the U.S. attacked its communications through the Internet. Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terror network have been equally dumbfounded, as have his many erstwhile allies—now fleeing his sinking ship like panicked rats. Twenty-first century means defeat eighth century means hands down. Events behind the scenes are moving even faster. Futuristic micro-spyplanes (and ground vehicles) no bigger than small birds and insects are about to enter the U.S. arsenal. The devices will permit a quantum leap in the level of stealthy spying at the heart of enemy territory. The foregoing developments, and many more, can be traced to the surprise of Pearl Harbor. When the U.S. said "never again," it meant it. What we are witnessing today is the fruit of that bitter lesson. I only wish that those killed at Pearl Harbor could know what their deaths set in motion. The 9/11 Surprise Attack is already sparking similar, positive effects. Technology that had sat dormant in the "tomorrow file" is suddenly in demand. In the years ahead, we will find that the 9/11 Surprise Attack pushed technology to new mountaintops. Yes, the price will be high; but not as high as not doing it. Those who fell in New York, Washington, D.C., and the fields of Pennsylvania, did not die in vain. Their deaths have jump-started American defense into a higher state of awareness, drive, and determination. The 9/11 victims, like the dead at Pearl Harbor, would be proud of how their nation has responded. I also think that on this day of memories we owe President Bush a special thanks. Like President Roosevelt, he has risen to the events of his time—and then some. He has responded with honor, candor, steel will, and smart strategy. Where did he get this "unexpected" backbone and brainpower? In part he got it from his own father, who fought in World War II, a conflict that Pearl Harbor forced us to enter. Thus the past reaches out to give strength to the future. It has energized Mr. Bush. And the resolve that he shows today will assure that tomorrow's presidents will respond well to the surprises of their day. As long as evildoers walk the earth, surprises will be with us. That is in the nature of humanity. We can minimize the danger, but never eliminate it. From time to time, the bad guys will bushwhack us. But that is not the main thing to remember. The main thing to remember is that America does respond—intelligently, vigorously, and ferociously. Let us hold our heads high, for that is exactly how free men should carry on in defense of their liberty and way of life. Let us also recall that the chain of response goes back decades before Pearl Harbor. It stretches from the Revolutionary War, to the War of 1812, to the Mexican War, to the Civil War, to the Spanish-American War, to World War I—and many conflicts scattered among them. In all, there were surprises. In all, good men rallied their resolve. In all, American soldiers and leaders mustered their courage and resources and weapons—and prevailed. America is a free nation that was born in war, and reborn in war many times. We have a long history of rising to fight for our freedom. Of that, too, Pearl Harbor should remind us. It is not often put in these terms, but it is part of a glorious history. It is a history of liberty triumphant. It reminds us that freedom is the right path—and that our ancestors chose well. As do we every time we act to defend what they brought into being.
Positive Plenum
Happy Holidays and a Great New Year from TOA Daily to every one of our thousands of loyal weekly readers. I hope that 2002 will be a prosperous and otherwise positive experience for you. My personal New Year's resolution will be to cultivate a greater, more reliable, resilient, and rational sense of optimism. I hope that it will be among your resolutions, also. In today's world, there is too much glumness—a pervasive and rationally unwarranted negativity that constricts our vision for opportunity. It constrains our pursuit of happiness. But, as individuals, we can alter our outlook from pessimism to optimism. Life is always an individual effort. So, too, is the cultivation of a positive point of view. With a more optimistic vision, enormous good becomes possible. Why? Optimism is our window on the future—on what can and should be. Let us learn to keep it wide open. We will thereby stretch our vision to the farthest horizon and fulfill dreams yet unimagined. Best wishes from TOA Daily. —EGR, Ed. QUESTIONS OR INSIGHTS? Click here to e-mail us! Please keep remarks civil and brief. Due to the volume of mail, we cannot print or answer all questions. Remarks are subject to editing or condensation for clarity and brevity. WANT TO pass the preceding commentary or essay on to your friends and others? Feel free. We have no objections. Please tell others about this site. Word of mouth is our best advertising. NOTE: This website is entirely supported by reader donations. Do you appreciate us and want to see us continue? Underscore your appreciation with a generous contribution. It allows us to improve and expand. Send your donation (U.S.$ check or money order please) to: The Objective American, 1004 Anlauf Road, Yoncalla OR 97401. Give Objective Optimism for Christmas or the New Year! How? Easy! Buy a subscription for yourself and friends to The Objective American monthly (first-class mail print edition). Just $38 a year ($34 for a gift for a friend) to: The Objective American, 1004 Anlauf Road, Yoncalla OR 97499. TOA Monthly includes unique columns not available on this website. "Globe Probe" provides an intriguing summary of critical foreign affairs. "Heroes & Zeroes" succinctly updates both positive and negative developments on a wide range of topics. "Brightside" highlights significant new optimistic events. "Tactics" covers self-help, self-development and other issues. "High Ground" deals with strategic and security matters. "Econ Recon" provides a monthly update of top economic events. Our "TOA Economic Indexes" box gives you a permanent record of economic conditions in data form. We also print salient graphs and charts—and each edition is filled with funny cartoons! There's much more, including occasional book and movie reviews. Again, just $38 a year for 12 issues sent by first-class mail. Click "Subscribe" above (under the logo) for subscription information and order form. Note: If you are in the U.S. Armed Forces, send us proof of current ID (photocopy is fine) and subscribe for the first time for just $30, a 21% discount. |
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