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Begin New Search Topic Air Force Journal Journal of Military and Strategic Studies

1. The Past, Present and Future of Canadian Military Air Power

Author:
John Ferris and Brad Gladman
Publication Date:
02-2024
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
In its centenary year, it is important for Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) leadership, as well as the academic community and the public, to look back critically over its hundred years with a view to understanding the factors driving the successes, failures, and state of the RCAF. This was the aim of the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) Centre for Operational Research and Analysis (CORA) workshop with the University of Calgary’s Centre for Military, Security, and Strategic Studies in September 2023. The workshop featured keynote addresses from Professor David Bercuson and Lieutenant-General (ret’d) Al Meinzinger and brought together leading experts on air power. This collection brings together high-quality material on a topic that has not received due attention – RCAF history and what that means for the future. It also seeks to demonstrate the value of partnerships between the academic community and the civilian and military parts of the RCAF to the benefit of both. It hopefully will encourage the RCAF to be more mindful of its history and to use that history to shape discussions about the future and an appropriate role for the RCAF moving forward.
Topic:
Armed Forces, Air Force, and Military
Political Geography:
Canada and North America

2. The combat utility of the U.S. fleet aircraft carrier in the post-war period

Author:
Ben Wan and Beng Ho
Publication Date:
04-2016
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
The fleet aircraft carrier possesses a number of unique advantages such as territorial independence and mobility that make it the United States National Command Authorities’ platform of choice to deal with a crisis or war. Nevertheless, it must be noted that the successful and unencumbered application of American carrier airpower in the post-war period has been significantly aided by the benign environments where the flat-tops have operated. In the modern combat environment, critics contend that anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities would render the vessel obsolete. Uncertainty clouds this issue as American carriers have yet to be subjected to A2/AD threats. Nevertheless, it is possible to draw two conclusions based on related empirical evidence. They are namely, 1) the submarine poses a credible challenge to American flat-tops, provided the sub is able to find and track them; 2) the anti-ship missile constitutes less of a “mission-kill” threat compared to the torpedo.
Topic:
Military Strategy, Maritime, Missile Defense, and Air Force
Political Geography:
United States and North America

3. Command Decision: Leadership Lessons from the Strategic Air War Against Germany

Author:
Lee Lacy
Publication Date:
04-2016
Content Type:
Journal Article
Journal:
Journal of Military and Strategic Studies
Institution:
Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies
Abstract:
The history of strategic bombing in World War II is well-documented, but is also found in the unlikeliest of places, in a theatrical production performed in the New York theater—on Broadway— in 1947. The play, Command Decision, by William Wister Haines, is an examination of the decision making process involved with the strategic bombing campaign in the European Theater of Operations. This paper uses Command Decision to examine real events in 1943—notably the raids on industrial targets of Regensburg, Schweinfurt and Stuttgart, where the 8th USAAF sustained punishing losses. Out this terrible episode of the war, when thousands of airmen lost their lives, the lessons of the bombing campaign’s Combined Bomber Offensive are significant. The leaders, events and decisions that influenced this intense and deadly episode of World War II remain relevant. The powerful lessons of leadership and command— mixed with human failing and the suffering of mankind, make a compelling story.
Topic:
Military Strategy, World War II, and Air Force
Political Geography:
United States, Europe, and North America