Expeditionary Airfield as a Center of Gravity

This research paper explores the contemporary relevance of the Guadalcanal campaign to current military operations. Specifically, expeditionary joint air operations flown from Henderson Field during the period August 1942 to February 1943 are used as a case study for the employment of air power from an austere airfield. Henderson Field provides an historical example of the expeditionary airfield as a center of gravity for joint military operations and it also demonstrates that key force enablers provide critical capabilities for the use of airpower from austere airfields. The joint air forces at Henderson Field, collectively known as the Cactus Air Force, flew defensive counter air and interdiction missions against the Japanese. The Cactus Air Force also provided close air support for US Marines fighting against the Japanese Army on Guadalcanal. Air operations from this austere airfield would not have been possible without several key force enablers. Maintenance, logistics, and runway construction and repair were absolutely vital to sustaining the outnumbered Cactus Air Force. Airfield security was provided by US Marine and Army ground troops who fought multiple battles to protect Henderson Field. In the dramatic course of this seesaw campaign, the tactical capabilities of the Cactus Air Force were key to the eventual victory by the Americans. The contributions of the Cactus Air Force and the American victory during the Guadalcanal campaign changed the course of WW II in the Pacific. After Guadalcanal, iv the Japanese military never regained the strategic offensive. The lessons from Henderson Field also have direct relevance to current expeditionary air operations. Recent military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq could not have succeeded without the combat air power employed from expeditionary air bases.