PDG for staff QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS|GUARANTEED SUCCESS

are also protected persons and may not be made the object of direct attack. The Law of Armed Conflict as defined by the Department of Defense, is that part of international law that regulates the conduct of armed hostilities. The Law of Armed Conflict protects combatants and noncombatants from unnecessary suffering, and safeguards the basic rights of all civilians, any prisoners of war, the wounded, and the sick. DoDD 2311.01E, Department of Defense Law of War Program requires each military department to design a program that ensures Law of Armed Conflict observance, prevents violations, ensures prompt reporting of alleged violations, appropriately trains all forces, and completes a legal review of new weapons. Law of Armed Conflict training a treaty obligation of the United States under provisions of the 1949 Geneva Conventions. AFI 51-401, Training and Reporting to Ensure Compliance with the Law of Armed Conflict requires that all Air Force personnel receive instruction on the principles and rules of the Law of Armed Conflict commensurate with each member's duties and responsibilities Article VI of the United States Constitution states that treaty obligations of the United States are the "supreme law of the land," and the United States Supreme Court has held that United States international legal obligations, to include custom, is part of United States law. Five important Law of Armed Conflict principles military necessity, distinction, proportionality, humanity, and chivalry. no circumstances may military necessity authorize actions specifically prohibited by the law of war, such as the murder of prisoners of war, ill treatment of prisoners of war or internees, the taking of hostages, or execution or reprisal against a person or object specifically protected from reprisal. Distinction This principle imposes a requirement to distinguish (also termed "discriminate") between the civilian population (or individual civilians not taking a direct part in the hostilities) and combatant forces when engaged in military operations. Civilian objects are protected from attack and include such objects as places of worship, schools, hospitals, and dwellings. True Civilian objects can lose their protected status if they are used to make an effective contribution to military action. In case of doubt whether a civilian object is being used to make an effective contribution to military action, the presumption should be that it is not used for military purposes. True or False? Proportionality Those who plan military operations must take into consideration the extent of civilian destruction and probable casualties that will result and seek to avoid or minimize such casualties and destruction to the extent consistent with the necessities of the military situation. True The concept does not apply to military facilities and forces, which are legitimate targets anywhere and anytime. True or False? Humanity Also referred to as the principle of unnecessary suffering, it prohibits the employment of any kind or degree of force not necessary for the purposes of war 1907 Hague Convention prohibits the use of poison or poisoned weapons in combat. Chivalry This principle addresses the waging of war in accord with well-recognized formalities and courtesies. It permits lawful ruses, such as camouflage, false radio signals, and mock troop movements. True Chivalry forbids treacherous acts (perfidy) to injure the enemy. These involve misuse of internationally recognized symbols (i.e. white flag symbolizing truce) or status to take unfair advantage of the enemy, such as false surrenders, placing anti-aircraft artillery in hospitals, and misuse of the red cross, red diamond, or the red crescent. True or False The Geneva Conventions distinguish between combatants, noncombatants, and civilians. Combatants In general, any person who engages in violent acts on behalf of a state party to an armed conflict Noncombatants are protected persons and include certain military personnel who are members of the Armed Forces not authorized to engage in combatant activities, such as permanent medical personnel and chaplains. True Noncombatants may not be made the object of attack. True or False Civilian are also protected persons and may not be made the object of direct attack. Unlawful enemy combatant is an individual who is not authorized by a state that is party to a conflict to take part in hostilities but does so anyway. Undetermined Status Should doubt exist as to whether a captured individual is a lawful combatant, noncombatant, or an unlawful combatant, the individual will receive the protections of the Geneva Prisoner of War Convention until status is determined. Military objectives are limited to those objects or installations that by their own nature, location, purpose, or use make an effective contribution to military action and whose total or partial destruction, capture, or neutralization in the circumstances existing at the time offer a definite military advantage. True Military attacks against cities, towns, or villages not justified by military necessity are forbidden. True or False True Enemy military aircraft may be attacked and destroyed wherever found, unless in neutral airspace or territory. True or False True An enemy's public and private nonmilitary aircraft are generally not subject to attack unless used for a military purpose. True or False Military Medical aircraft are used exclusively for the removal of the wounded and sick and for the transport of medical personnel and equipment. True Military members who violate Law of Armed Conflict are subject to criminal prosecution and punishment in a national or international forum True or False Rules of Engagement set parameters for when, where, how, why, and against whom commanders and their Airmen may use force De-escalation set parameters for when, where, how, why, and against whom commanders and their Airmen may use force