Introduction
The study of various cases related to military operations is of particular value and interest to research. This is due to the fact that, based on previous experience, it is possible to highlight important lessons about how to act in critical conditions and how to make decisions most effectively. Thus, within the framework of this analytical essay, a case study of Operation Anaconda will be analyzed, the research of which will help to improve the skills of considering the event through various perspectives. The principles of mission command and strong leadership skills played a vital role in the Afghanistan battle outcomes.
Operation Anaconda
First of all, it is necessary to gain an understanding of what Operation Anaconda is. This event took place in 2002 during the war in Afghanistan (Greentree, 2021). It is of grave importance, as it is part of the global struggle of the United Nations against the terrorist movement, the focus of which was on the lands of Afghanistan. Sources note that this operation was a great success, but at the same time, the operation was defeated at the first meeting with the opponents. The reason lay in the original U.S. military plan, which was unsuitable for this kind of battle. It is worth noting that the primary goal of Operation Anaconda in the fight against terrorism was to root out enemy Taliban and al Qaeda forces.
The Role of Leadership
Critical attention should be paid to how the commander of the troops, as a military leader, coped with the task assigned to him. The need for this is due to the fact that leadership is a critical component of the military’s activities since not only the success of the operation but also the lives of many people depend on an organized and thought-out plan of action. Thus, the investigated collision was a success, as it was based on a clearly constructed plan of action and cooperation with friendly Afghan ground forces. Despite the initial failure, U.S. forces switched tactical gears and won. The decisive step in the fight was the use of air forces to destroy enemy groups.
The prominent role of military command and leadership is to make critical decisions. This is of particular value as it implies finding solutions to problems on the battlefield. Moreover, the ability of commanders and other military leaders to motivate the team to perform actions for a common goal is of particular importance. In addition, this includes providing attention and studies on the welfare and recognition of soldiers’ successes. For these characteristics, commanders must undergo specialized training that will provide information on how to perform the functions of a military leader properly.
Regarding organizational leadership, the Anaconda operation under study seems to be an excellent example. Henceforth, thanks to the qualities of the commander, the military correctly performed their actions, which resulted in a positive outcome. One of them can be called an organization and the ability to take responsibility for the actions taken. Therefore, at the initial mistake, the commander of the operation decided to attract air forces to destroy the enemy. Moreover, a leadership quality that requires attention is also the ability to rally a group of military personnel to ensure the possibility of obtaining the most coordinated actions. A hostile atmosphere among subordinates may adversely affect both the activities of the team and the outcomes of their joint activities.
Principles of Military Mission Command
Therefore, leadership and implementation of the basic principles of military mission command played an essential role in this case study. According to Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 6-0, “commanders and subordinates must build a relationship centered upon the seven principles of mission command” (Tolman, 2020, para. 3). Building a cohesive team and establishing positive relationships based on trust played a significant role in the success of Operation Anaconda. This is vital because, during military operations, the actions of each person are crucial.
Moreover, clear instructions from the commander and high discipline specifically affected how the team coped with the conditions set before them. Other principles worth considering are mission orders and acceptance of possible risks (McBride Jr. & Snell, 2017). Compliance with these concepts makes a positive contribution to the passage of any military activity, especially in such cases as Operation Anaconda.
Among all the principles of mission command, the allocation of concepts such as shared understanding is of particular importance. This represents a general awareness of what is required from the military group and what results are expected. Moreover, this competence can also include understanding how one person’s actions can affect the entire group. This is necessary, especially in military conditions, where people risk their lives to protect the country and preserve peace. In Operation Anaconda’s case, shared understanding allowed the military to adjust their actions to entirely repel and defeat enemy terrorist attacks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this analytical essay considered a case study of Operation Anaconda. This military initiative was carried out during the Afghan war against terrorist groups. The peculiarity of this operation was that it experienced success only the second time it was carried out. Due to the strong leadership qualities of the commander and compliance with the basic principles of mission command, it was a success and helped the military to cope with the task. Moreover, the leadership qualities of the commander of the military group, such as responsibility and the ability to rally the team and organization, were considered. These characteristics also contributed to the success of Operation Anaconda.
References
Greentree, T. (2021). What went wrong in Afghanistan? The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters, 51(4), 7-22.
McBride Jr., C. D. M. & Snell, R.L. (2017). Applying mission command to overcome challenges. U.S. Army. Web.
Tolman, F.N. (2020). Mission command: A senior enlisted leader’s perspective. NCO Journal. Web.