Operation Popeye and Operation Commando Lava

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Both Operation Popeye and Operation Commando Lava are fascinating efforts of the U.S. military to use scientific approaches to have an advantage in the war. Both of these operations involved the application of geographical knowledge and scientific facts. However, despite the efforts taken to either artificially induce monsoons or create mud and landslides with the help of chemical solutions, the attempts were futile and considered failures.

Discussion

The first operation worth analyzing is Operation Popeye, performed in three countries. Between the late 1960s and early 1970s, the U.S. military created clouds in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos as part of Operation Popeye (Phillips, 2021). Silver iodide was used in the mission to lengthen the monsoon season over Vietnam (Phillips, 2021). According to the superiors in the mission, it was anticipated that increased precipitation would soak the ground, weaken local roads, trigger landslides and flooding, and wash away rivers (Phillips, 2021). The missions objective was to extend each rain season by approximately a month in various locations, block North Vietnamese logistic and communication routes, and restrict army mobility (Phillips, 2021). Operation Popeye was labeled a failure by military leaders immediately.

Another failure, which is similar to Operation Popeye, was Operation Commando Lava in Vietnam. Dr. William G. McMillan and his colleagues used an inventive technique to stop enemy activity on isolated mountain routes (Phillips, 2021). They discovered a chemical solution that, when combined with water and soil, transformed the latter into slush, which remained unstable as long as it was moist (Phillips, 2021). The experiments were permanently stopped in 1967 (Phillips, 2021). Although chelation was verified in the official report on Commando Lava, there was little sign of mud or landslides, and enemy movement was not hampered. The research cited the soil characteristics along the route as the cause, however, the plan was never followed (Phillips, 2021). Therefore, a poor understanding of geological and geographical features led to mistakes.

Conclusion

Hence, despite efforts made to either generate monsoons or intentionally induce mud and landslides, the endeavors were ineffective and were seen as failures. Operation Popeyes goals included extending each rainy season by almost a month in different places, blocking North Vietnamese communication and logistical channels, and limiting army movement. One of the objectives of Operation Commando Lava was to utilize a chemical that, when mixed with water and dirt, turned the latter into slush.

Reference

Phillips, J. (2021). A Shau: Crucible of the Vietnam War. Izzard Ink Publishing.

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Operation Popeye and Operation Commando Lava

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