Blue Birds and Wolverines in Libya: Cinematic Considerations for Military Intervention

by Patrick McKinney

On March 17, 2011, the United Nations authorized military force to protect the people of Libya from the forces of its ruler, Colonel Muammar Gaddafi. Two days later, the United States, France, and England, commenced military action against Libyan air defenses, and command and control sites in preparation for a no-fly zone. As the international community starts action in Libya, words of caution are in order. Seen by some as a lower-cost alternative to ground forces, a no-fly zone intends to protect Libyan civilians and opposition forces from the Qaddafi regime, but such a mission is not without risks. As political and military leaders prepare for action, they should pause for a few hours and watch two films of the 1980s; 1986's Iron Eagle and 1984's Red Dawn, and consider the lessons of the Blue Bird and the Wolverines.

Iron Eagle is the tale of a cocky, but talented, American high school student whose U.S. Air Force fighter pilot father is shot down and captured by a nameless, yet clearly evil, Middle Eastern regime. As the U.S. dithers, the son convinces a reserve fighter pilot to help him free his father. With the help of his fellow Air Force brat friends, and their unwitting parents, the two steal fighter jets and travel to the Middle East to rescue the father. They take on the enemy air defenses and air force, and the elder pilot is shot down. With a few twists of his joystick, he bombs the air field and the regime's oil refinery. After some double-crossing and aerial acrobatics, the son rescues his father, and destroys the leadership of the evil regime. He returns a hero and learns that his wingman was rescued. All is well and he is accepted into the U.S. Air Force Academy. His call sign is "Blue Bird."

Red Dawn begins on a quiet mid-Western morning with the surprise airborne invasion of an American town by Soviet and South American paratroopers. Chaos ensues and a band of local youths escape to the mountains to flee the occupation. After witnessing atrocities, and seeing their loved ones in internment camps, the youths start a guerrilla campaign against their occupiers. With each attack, they become more capable and better equipped. Soon, the occupation forces are bogged down, hunting the band of fighters and suffering from their attacks. The guerrillas fight to the last man and pave the way for an eventual American liberation. They name their group after their high school mascot, the Wolverines.

Released two years apart, both films portray a stark difference in the views of warfare. The Blue Bird destroys his targets from afar with skillful piloting and advanced weaponry. The Wolverines live in the wilderness, and close with their enemy in ruthless close quarters combat. Given the right man or woman and the right aircraft, America is unstoppable. The guerrillas, their occupiers, and the local populace all pay heavy tolls. Iron Eagle shows warfare from afar, reliant on machines and technology. The Wolverines are a more somber reminder of what happens after the "real fighting" ends. The twenty first century was supposed to be the era of the Blue Bird, but the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq revealed the era of the Wolverines. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates recently offered caution against the future use of large scale land forces, and suggested that naval and air forces carry the future burden. As the no-fly zone over Iraq demonstrated, aircraft may contain a situation, but they cannot force regime change or reconciliation.

This is an unenviable situation in Libya, as the price of both action and inaction are steep in human and political costs. A no-fly zone may achieve temporary stability and maintain a status quo, but it is unlikely to resolve the conflict and political impasse. Both sides have spilled blood and the regime clings to its remaining power. A weak and ill equipped opposition force survives at the borders of the state, but the regime still holds the center. A no-fly zone by itself may work in the short term, but it is no guarantee of a long term resolution.

Sooner or later, boots on the ground must act. It is preferred that those boots are Libyan, but weeks of combat have left the opposition forces weakened, and the time for decisive action in their support may have passed. If the international community uses force from above, it must accept that at some point, it may have to commit itself to force down below as well. As the no-fly zone goes into action, world political and military leaders must start planning the next phase. It will come sooner or later, and they would be well served not to expect the Blue Bird and be surprised if they find Wolverines.

Patrick McKinney served as a United States Army field artillery and military intelligence officer, and deployed as a platoon leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV. He has watched both films since childhood, and they accompanied him on his deployment. He now resides in Alexandria, VA. The views expressed in this piece are his own.