Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars

Command of the Air

Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars

review essay by Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Armstrong

Small Wars Journal

Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars (Full PDF Article)

There has been a great deal of debate over the role of air power in counterinsurgency (COIN) campaigns and small wars. This discussion has occurred over a broad range of media, from traditional military journals, to magazines and online hybrids like Small Wars Journal. At times it has been heated and frequently the discussion focuses on the capabilities of today and predictions for tomorrow. However, modern counterinsurgency doctrine and tactics are founded in the many lessons of history. It is time that we reboot the discussion of airpower’s role in COIN by doing some reading and adding a consideration of the history. The following are three books that provide students of military affairs with a solid basis of preflight planning” in order to restart the discussion.

Rebooting the Discussion of Air Power and Small Wars (Full PDF Article)