Understanding Airpower

Download or read book Understanding Airpower written by Colin S. Gray and published by . This book was released on 2009-03-31 with total page 84 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Dr. Colin Gray recognizes that there will always be defense debates. He also believes that some of the "frequently contested debating terrain" can and need to be clarified and settled. In this study, this noted strategic scholar addresses assumptions and conventionally held ideas about airpower that are wrong. Professor Gray identifies and discusses nine fallacies that: (1) the USAF should abandon large-scale regular warfare; (2) airpower is inherently a strategic weapon; (3) airpower is driven by technology rather than ideas; (4) airpower is about targeting; (5) airpower must be subordinate to land power; (6) the theory of strategic airpower is flawed; (7) an independent USAF interferes with an effective joint force structure; (8) airpower is a minor player in counterinsurgency (COIN); and finally, a longstanding issue, (9) the twenty-first century is about missiles, space, and cyber power and airpower is yesterday's revolution. The discussion of these "fallacies" should stimulate the appetite of most thoughtful Airmen, but also serious advocates of all services and everyone interested in national defense.