O'Dell: Information warfare is essential.

• Author: Book, Elizabeth G.
• Position: Washington Pulse - Douglas O'Dell, General - Interview

Information warfare is a subtle art, almost clandestine, and like many other weapons, is used as a tool of war, said Brig. Gen. Douglas O'Dell, commanding general of the 4th Marine Expeditionary Unit, which is dedicated to anti-terrorism missions. (Related story; page 22).

"When I talk about information warfare, my favorite example comes from very early in the Gulf War campaign," he said. In September 1990, O'Dell was a watch team commander in the 2nd Marine Expeditionary force. That night, he received "a simple, one-line message from the folks that are empowered to conduct information warfare operations, to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, info-ing everybody in the world: 'Request permission to...