Air interdiction

Air interdiction is the use of aircraft to attack enemy forces, supplies, and infrastructure before they can influence friendly operations. It targets activity outside the immediate area of ground combat.

Targeting (warfare): The process of selecting and prioritizing targets and matching them to available capabilities. Interdiction begins by identifying enemy movement and infrastructure whose disruption could affect later operations.
Strategic bombing: Air attacks intended to weaken an enemy state's capacity or will to wage war. It often attacks deeper national systems, while interdiction focuses on forces and supplies affecting military operations.
Air warfare: The use of military aircraft and other airborne systems to conduct combat operations. Interdiction emerged as one mission within the broader practice of air warfare.
Operation Linebacker II: A United States bombing campaign against North Vietnam in December 1972. It demonstrates the political and military stakes of attacks on supply and infrastructure networks.
Air assault: A military operation in which ground forces are moved by aircraft and inserted into combat. Air assault uses aircraft to deliver friendly forces; interdiction uses them to attack enemy movement and support.
Air tasking order: A daily plan that assigns missions, aircraft, and supporting resources to air operations. It coordinates interdiction sorties with other demands on the air force.
Railway interdiction: Military action aimed at disrupting an adversary's use of railways for movement or supply. Rail lines can carry reinforcements and materiel toward the battlefield.
World War I: A global war fought from 1914 to 1918, marked by industrialized armies and early military aviation. Early aircraft attacked enemy communications and movement, foreshadowing later interdiction missions.
Operation Rolling Thunder: A sustained United States air campaign against North Vietnam from 1965 to 1968. Its limited effect on the flow of supplies exposed the resilience of interdicted networks.
Air defense: Measures used to detect, deter, or defeat hostile aircraft and missiles. Air defense protects forces and infrastructure that interdiction aircraft may target.

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