Ten Propositions Regarding Air Power: Military Airwar, Instilling Appreciation and Challenging Assumptions, Douhet, Spaatz, Seversky, Trenchard, Tedder, Jomini, Lanchester

Professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction, this excellent Air Force document proposes a group of ten propositions about military air power. Though we are still within the first century of powered flight, air power has already become the dominant form of military power projection in the modern world. The doctrinal underpinnings of air power thought are, of course, traditionally ascribed to the three great theorists of air power application, Douhet, Trenchard, and Mitchell. Since the Second World War, the air power community has not often explored the doctrinal implications of air power development. Lord Tedder's Lee Knowles lectures at Cambridge, and the writings of Air Vice Marshal R. A. Mason, and Colonel John A. Warden III constitute notableand noteworthyexceptions. Now comes Colonel Phillip Meilinger, who has posited a group of provocative propositions that will instill an appreciation for air power for those who seek to understand it and challenge the assumptions of those who do not yet appreciate what it offers.

Ten Propositions Regarding Air Power

1. Whoever controls the air generally controls the surface. * 2. Air Power is an inherently strategic force. * 3. Air Power is primarily an offensive weapon. * 4. In essence, Air Power is targeting, targeting is intelligence, and intelligence is analyzing the effects of air operations. * 5. Air Power produces physical and psychological shock by dominating the fourth dimensiontime. * 6. Air Power can conduct parallel operations at all levels of war, simultaneously. * 7. Precision air weapons have redefined the meaning of mass. * 8. Air Power's unique characteristics necessitate that it be centrally controlled by airmen. * 9. Technology and air power are integrally and synergistically related. * 10. Air Power includes not only military assets, but an aerospace industry and commercial aviation.

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