Decision from the Sky: Airpower as a Decisive Instrument of National Power.

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA326954 | Open PDF

Abstract:

This paper explores airpower as a decisive instrument of national power and examines the key impediments that prevent it from reaching its full potential. The paper begins by examining the use of the term decisive within the defense community and offers a definition. Next, three examples of the decisive use of airpower are explored the Berlin Airlift, Operation Linebacker II, and Operation Deliberate Force. Emphasis is placed on how each operation helped to achieve the stated political objective. Succeeding sections include a look at the evolution of US airpower thinking, current and projected state of airpower capability and role of the decisionmaker in strategy development.

Author(s):
Gann, Timothy D.
Author Organization(s):
ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
Descriptive Note:
Strategy research rept.,
Supplementary Note:
DOI: 10.21236/ADA326954
Pagination:
0042

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Monitor Series:
USAWC
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_1.1_Force Management; JCA_1_Force Support; JCA_5_Command and Control; JCA_5.3_Planning; JCA_1.2.3_Educating; JCA_7.2.1_Mitigate Lethal Effects; JCA_7.2_Mitigate; JCA_7_Protection; JCA_1.2.4_Doctrine; JCA_4.1_Deployment and Distribution; JCA_4_Logistics; JCA_5.4_Decide; JCA_1.2.6_Concepts; JCA_5.2_Understand
Modernization Areas:
Fully Networked C3
Communities of Interest:
Energy and Power Technologies
Descriptor(s):
*OPERATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS, *AIR POWER, *BOMBARDMENT(ATTACK), IRAQ, STRATEGY, AIRLIFT OPERATIONS, BERLIN, BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA
Field(s)/Group(s):
Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics
Keyword(s):
DEFINITION, OBJECTIVES, OPERATION LINEBACKER II, OPERATION DELIBERATE FORCE, BERLIN AIRLIFT
Report Date:
1997 Apr 15
Creation Date:
1997 Jul 23