Garret K. Messner

Operationalizing Special Operations Aviation in Indonesia Garret K. Messner

This study researched the possible roles and missions conducted by the United States Special Operation Aviation (SOA) community, particularly rotary-wing, fix-wing, unmanned aerial vehicles' roles, as well as SOA's role in Foreign Internal Defense. After determining the roles and missions of SOA, a center of gravity analysis was conducted on the Jemaah Islamiah, Southeast Asia's most dangerous terrorist group with global reach, to determine how SOA can be used to defeat the violent extremist organizations in Indonesia. The research concluded that SOA would have an important, but limited role in the global war on terror in Indonesia.