Introduction to Air Power Studies 2010

INTRODUCTION TO AIR POWER STUDIES

AOPS 1 (P)

BY

LT COL B M NZILU ‘acsc’ (USA)

AND

LT COL M A BADI ‘psc (K), psc (RSA)

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INTRODUCTION• Airpower studies seek to expand understanding of war

theory by introducing modern perspectives on war fighting

• Students will be challenged to think critically in order to devise the most effective way of employing air power either singly, in support of another force or in a joint environment

• A study of the development of airpower technology, theory and doctrine determine what airpower adds to man’s quest for effectiveness in war.


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• Study provides knowledge and skill to enable you produce credible and innovative employment of air power

• “Air power has become predominant, both as a deterrent to war, and—in the eventuality of war—as the devastating force to destroy an enemy’s potential and totally undermine his will to wage war.”

General Omar Bradley

INTRODUCTION


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AIM

To give a broad overview of the structure and content of the Air Operations study package


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OBJECTIVEAt the end of this presentation, the student should be able to correctly state the contents air strategy as contained in the study package and correctly explain the linkages between the air power study and other study blocks

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SCOPEThis presentation will highlight air power strategy in abstract, outlining the functions

and employment considerations


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OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY At the end of air power study, students should beable to:

– Analyze the difference between the promise of airpower and the realities of its application

– Evaluate the current and emerging trends in airpower theory and doctrine

– Plan and employ air power either independently or in support of surface forces


LINKAGES WITH OTHER LESSONS

IR

NW

AP

A broad look at national and international security issuesand the theories explaininginternational state bahaviour.

An examination of conflict at variouslevels and the cycle of conflict frominception, to war, to termination.

Maturation of airpower theory using a context, theory, practice and analytical framework.

Air power study examines conflict in sequential fashion: from a broad look at international conflict, to a specific examination of specific conflict, concluding with a look at the theories and principles guiding the effective use of airpower in a particular conflict.

8

5,000 years of Two-Dimensional

Warfare

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Incoherent Strategy• Bankruptcy of European strategic thought set

stage for descent into positional warfare

• Efforts to break consequent stalemate failed to overcome inherent strengths of static, entrenched defenses


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Problems of Tank WarfareProblems of Tank Warfare

Design Problems

• Fuel Tanks in Front

• Traversing Trenches

• Vulnerable to Artillery

Design Problems

• Fuel Tanks in Front

• Traversing Trenches

• Vulnerable to Artillery


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A NEW PERSPECTIVE

“If we should have to fight, we should be prepared to do so from the neck up instead of from the neck down.”

Jimmy Doolittle


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Immensely Destructive ...


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Highly Flexible ...

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An Instrument of PowerAn Instrument of Power


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An Instrument of PeaceAn Instrument of Peace

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• Have a Course Theme

• Be able to contextualize

• Have a Common Vernacular

HOW SHALL WE STUDY AIRPOWER?


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Airpower Studies 2010

Theme

Effectiveness -- seeking the maximum effectiveness of airpower in the evolving national and international conflict and peace arena


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ThemeEffectiveness --Effectiveness -- seeking the maximum

effectiveness of airpower in the in the evolving national and international evolving national and international

arena.arena.

Theory -- ideas or notions about how to use the airinstrument.08/04/23 19RESTRICTED

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Contentious Theoretical Issues“……Air power is the only means of waging war

which has the capability of striking directlystriking directly at the will to resist of a hostile nation, by paralyzingparalyzing its economic structure and threatening its very existencethreatening its very existence.”

ACTS, “General Air Force Principles,” 1934-35


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Contentious Theoretical Issues

“…..We can accept as axiomatic the fact that air forces operate in three dimensional spacethree dimensional space and that their objectivesobjectives are included in areas on the earth’s surface, in contradistinction to surface forces that operate in two dimensions and that ordinarily find their objectives on the perimeter of the position occupied by those forces…”

ACTS, Air Force Fundamentals Lecture, 1934-35


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“…air power is not a new weapon…it constitutes it constitutes a new forcea new force, as separate from land power and sea power as each is separate from the other. It has created a trinity of national defensetrinity of national defense which now consists of land power, sea power, and air power.”

ACTS, “Orientation Lecture No. 1,” 1935-1936



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“…the Air Force has a more immediate task--and probably a more difficult task--that entails something beyond the support of the infantrysomething beyond the support of the infantry. We want you to realize that the GHQ Air Force is not a part of the ground force combat team--and that close support of the infantry in battle is an close support of the infantry in battle is an inefficient employment of military aviationinefficient employment of military aviation…”

ACTS, Air Force Fundamentals Lecture, 1934-35


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Theme

Effectiveness -- seeking the maximum Effectiveness -- seeking the maximum effectiveness of airpowereffectiveness of airpower in the evolving

national and international arena.

Context -- always changing,ever present, and importantin every way.

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• Tenets of Air and

Space Power

• Centralized Control and Decentralized Execution

• Flexibility and Versatility

• Synergistic Effects

• Persistence

• Concentration

• Priority

• Balance

Airpower Studies 2010Common Vernacular


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• Tenets of Air and

Space Power

• Core Competencies

• Air and Space Superiority

• Precision Engagement

• Information Superiority

• Global Attack

• Rapid Global Mobility

• Agile Combat Support

Airpower Studies 2010Common Vernacular


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Course Structure


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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

A plan of employing and means to accomplish a

desired end


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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

Operations to attain and maintain a desired degree of air superiority through destruction or neutralization of en air forces.


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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

OCA

DCA

• En flying sp installations• En forces on gnd

•En airborne assets• Dog fights• Missile intercepts• Point area def

To conquer the command of the air means victory; to be beaten in the air means defeat and acceptance of whatever terms the enemy may be pleased to impose.

Giulio Douhet


AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

STRATEGICAIR

OFFENSIVEMilitary action carried out against enemy’s COGs or vital target sets such as command elements, war production assets and key supporting infrastructure

Strategic effect is the disruption of the enemy’s strategy, ability, or will to wage war or carry out

aggressive activity

COUNTERAIR

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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

STRATEGICAIR

OFFENSIVE

ANTISURFACEACTION

Operations carried out to disrupt, destroy or neutralize enemy surface forces

Air Interdiction(A I)

Battlefield Air Interdiction

(B A I)

Close Air Support(C A S)

• Surface warfare (Anti-ship)• Under sea Warfare (Anti Submarine)• Sea Surveillance• Aerial mine laying

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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

STRATEGICAIR

OFFENSIVE

ANTISURFACEACTION

COMBATSUPPAIROPS

Operations designed to enhance or support the effectiveness of air and surface combat forces.

Air Lift

Special Ops Employment

I S R

CSRNav & Posn

Weather

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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

STRATEGICAIR

OFFENSIVE

ANTISURFACEACTION

COMBATSUPPAIROPS

OCA

DCA

OAS

CAP

ESCORTS

RISTA

ANTISEA

BAI

TACTICALAIR TPT

EWESM

ECM/ECCM

TACTICALAIR

RECCE



• DEGRADING EN CAPABILITY• ATTKS ON EN WILL TO FIGHT• POLITICAL SIGNALING

Air mobile ops-Air landed-Airborne-Air assault

Air mobility for Special msns

Combat Search and Rescue

Special OpsEmployment

Co

nce

rn o

f su

rfac

e fo

rces

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AIR

ST

RA

TE

GY

COUNTERAIR

STRATEGICAIR

OFFENSIVE

ANTISURFACEACTION

COMBATSUPPAIROPS

OCA

DCA

CAP

ESCORTS

RISTA

ANTISEA



• DEGRADING EN CAPABILITY• ATTKS ON EN WILL TO FIGHT• POLITICAL SIGNALING

TACTICALAIR TPT

EWESM

ECM/ECCM

TACTICALAIR

RECCE

Air mobility for Special msns

Special OpsEmployment

COMBATSUPPAIROPS

Assessment

05 Nov AOPS 18 (TX)

15 Nov AOPS 19 (X)

29 Nov to 10Dec AOPS 22(X)

09 Dec LOGS 14(TX) Thornyissues


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CONCLUSION

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Final Thought

“If we should have to fight, we should be prepared to do so from the neck up instead of from the neck down.”

Jimmy Doolittle

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