The Limited Times

General Philippe Lavigne: "The Gulf War marks the entry into a new era"

1/17/2021, 9:25:50 PM


INTERVIEW - For the Chief of Staff of the Air Force and Space, an operation like "Desert Storm" would be much more difficult to achieve today.

LE FIGARO.

- Thirty years ago, France took part in the Gulf War: 43 days of air operations, 96 hours of land battle.

It was the first major air operation in decades.

What were its characteristics?

General LAVIGNE.

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The Air Force had not been engaged in a projection of force and power of this scale since the Suez crisis in 1956. Strategic thinking had also evolved a lot at that time: the end of the years 1980 is marked by the writings of John Warden on the strategic employment of aviation.

The Gulf War is a demonstration of these concepts by organizing, after the conquest of air superiority, the attack on the centers of gravity of the enemy in order to paralyze him.

What is the lesson of “Desert Storm” for France?

Strategic transport is proving decisive.

Our challenge during the summer of 1990, because we know that an offensive is being prepared, is to be able to logistically

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