Weekly Recon - Will the F-35 Get Trumped, Low-Visibility Wars, Warrior Monk

Good Saturday morning and welcome to Weekly Recon. On this day in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln delivers one of the most famous speeches (The Gettysburg Address) in American history at the dedication of the military cemetery at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Using just 272 words, Lincoln brilliantly and movingly articulated the meaning of the conflict for a war-weary public. In 2011 – The United States successfully tests a new hypersonic weapon system, capable of striking targets 3,700 kilometers (2,300 mi) away in under 30 minutes, as part of its Prompt Global Strike program.

Byron Callan, a defense analyst at Capital Alpha Partners LLC, told Bloomberg this week that while Trump might have his reservations regarding the F-35, there are few if any options.

Low-Visibility Wars – Once deeply held secrets, global operations carried out by U.S. Special Operations forces have now become headlines in the global “War on Terror” (WOT).  The Obama administration’s take on the WOT embodies a “strong sense from the president that need to be able to have transparency into the work we’re doing to defeat threats from terrorism.” An anathema to traditional military doctrine, particularly special operations, the administration’s desire for transparency has led to the newly minted phrase low-visibility operations.

Calling the transition to low-visibility warfare the “Youtube effect,” Defense Undersecretary for Intelligence Marcel Lettre speaking at the Defense One Summit in Washington, D.C. further explained the rationale as the changing relationship between intelligence officers and operators. However, this transition from “Black Ops” or clandestine operations to publicly avowed special operations poses potential dangers.  The failed operation to rescue journalist James Foley in Syria announced by the White House later blamed the leaks on Syrian social media, a claim yet unfounded exemplifies the dangers of low-visibility operations.

The question remains, does the explosion of social media on the battlefield necessitate the transformation of special operations from a once clandestine operation to low-visibility operations or does this endanger soldiers carrying out some of the nation’s most dangerous national security missions.

“Warrior Monk” Leading the Pentagon? – Following the media hype regarding the soon to be Trump administration’s selections for national security posts has been a circus, bordering on media folly, drawing harsh criticisms and fierce defenses.  The selection for the next secretary of defense may be far less controversial as retired General James Mattis has risen since Mattis is due to meet with President-elect Donald Trump today. 

Unceremoniously relieved of his post as commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) for reportedly pressuring civilians over the administration's Iran strategy or lack thereof, Mattis holds no grudges as Lt. Gen. Flynn has been accused of and is widely regarded by both civilian and military leadership. 

Mattis’ curriculum vitae are extensive.  General Mattis led a battalion into combat during the Gulf War (1990-91), Task Force 58 during the invasion of Afghanistan (2001), and later 1^st Marine Division during the invasion of Iraq (2003), and the retaking of Fallujah in the form of Operations Vigilant Resolve and Phantom Fury (2004).  Though a thoroughly war hardened commander, General Mattis also expanded his resume in the Joint arena as the former U.S. Joint Forces Command, NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation commander and the aforementioned CENTCOM.

Clearly an accomplished wartime General, Mattis is widely known for his intellect (a library of over 7,000 books) and his unvarnished analysis.  Aside from the push for Mattis to run for President, which he adamantly declined, he remains immensely popular with the military and veterans. Though a potential selection to lead the Department of Defense would require a congressional waiver, as would other worthy candidates such as retired General Jack Keane.

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