Show of force

A show of force is a military operation intended to warn (see Warning shot) or intimidate an opponent and to showcase one's own capability or will to act if provoked. Shows of force may also be executed by police forces and other armed, non-military groups.

Function

Many strike missions by aircraft over insurgency areas involve the use of flare drops and low-level passes only, being intended for intimidation of suspected enemy forces rather than immediately being used for attacks.

Shows of force have historically been undertaken mostly by a military actor unwilling to engage in all-out hostilities, but fearing to 'lose face' (i.e. to appear weak). By performing a carefully calculated provocation, the opponent is to be shown that violent confrontation remains an option, and that there will be no (or no further) backing off on the principle the show of force is to defend.^[1] Shows of force may be actual military operations, but in times of official peace, they may also be limited to military exercises.^[2]

Shows of force also work on a smaller scale – i.e. military forces on a tactical level using mock attacks to deter potential opponents, especially when a real attack on suspected (but unconfirmed) enemies might harm civilians. As an example, most air "attacks" during OEF and OIF have been simple shows of force where jet aircraft drop flares only while making loud, low-level passes. One recent 12-month report for Afghanistan noted 18,019 strike sorties by United States military aircraft, but weapons use in only 3,330 of these missions.^[3]

Risk of escalation

Shows of force, while intended as 'gestures' have a risk of being considered part of a larger or more extensive operation, and can invite responses or retaliation beyond those intended.

Notable examples

• Doolittle Raid, the first American bombing of the Japanese home islands after the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor.
• Operation Paul Bunyan, a dawn raid by US forces into the Korean Demilitarized Zone, a reaction to the unprovoked slaying of two US officers by North Korean forces during the "Axe Murder Incident."
• Operation Poomalai, on 4 June 1987, the Indian Air Force mounted a mercy mission to airdrop humanitarian relief supplies over the besieged town of Jaffna in Sri Lanka during the Sri Lankan Civil War. The mission was undertaken as a symbolic act of support for the Tamil Tigers two days after a previous unarmed effort which was mounted in the form of a small naval flotilla and was thwarted by the Sri Lankan Navy.
• Third Taiwan Strait Crisis, was the effect of a series of missile tests conducted by the People's Republic of China in the waters surrounding Taiwan including the Taiwan Strait from 21 July 1995 to 23 March 1996. The first set of missiles fired in mid to late 1995 were allegedly intended to send a strong signal to the Republic of China government under Lee Teng-hui, who had been seen as moving ROC foreign policy away from the One-China policy. The second set of missiles were fired in early 1996, allegedly intending to intimidate the Taiwanese electorate in the run-up to the 1996 presidential election.

See also

• Demoralization (warfare)
• Deterrence theory
• Peace through strength
• Shock and awe

References