Military Operations in Low Intensity Conflict

Military Operations in Low Intensity Conflict was jointly prepared by the United States Army and the United States Air Force to develop comprehensive military doctrine and guidance to support the U. S. government’s activities in an environment of low intensity conflict (LIC). This publication provides the basic foundation for Army and Air Force personnel to understand the complexities of operating in the LIC environment. It discusses the four major types of operations typically found in LIC - support for insurgencies and counterinsurgencies, combating terrorism, peacekeeping operations, and peacetime contingency operations - and it explains the subtle yet critical differences between LIC and other conventional operations.

Low intensity conflicts have been a predominant form of engagement for the military over the past 45 years. In all likelihood, this will continue to be so for the foreseeable future. All military personnel must understand the characteristics of low intensity conflict if we are to conduct military operations successfully in this environment.