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Early Access: Why Airpower FAILED (Until Desert Storm)
🕑 Added 2022-06-15 12:22:13 +0000 UTCI recently read 'Airpower Reborn' by John A. Olsen from my partnered publisher the Naval Institute Press (U.S: Naval Institute). In it multiple authors write about the transition in Air Doctrine from the strategic bomber focus born in the 1920s, that remained prominent (esp. in the US) until the Vietnam War, which caused a complete revamp of airpower theory culminating in the success Coalition forces experienced during Desert Storm. This really hit home with me, as I've been thinking about making a video about just that for some time and as such got cracking right away.
And here it is, enjoy your early access and let me know what you thought about this video!
Thank you for the support,
Chris
Comments
Dan
It was not air power it was bomber accuracy. If you can't hit the target (unless it is in a pickle barrier) then bombing is not effective. LeMay gave up and just fire bombed Japan that would hit people and factories. Once you could accurately destroy the target then suddenly air power was significant. It started in Gulf War with targets of bridges, buildings, hangers, with ~100% success. But air power was and is still important. Control of the air space over Europe was critical to the western front advance. Air power is still important in Ukraine and who controls that is not quite clear yet....but russia is winning. Finally, Ukraine is showing there are maybe a shift in 'air power' including small cheap drones that are accurate at destroying their targets.
Frank C
Lots of detail Chris, enjoyed the video clips. Suppose air power during Desert Storm pretty much wiped out the bad guys means to fight. It destroyed all their 'stuff'. The goal was for bad guys to leave Kuwait. I'll take a look at your reading list! Take Care. Appreciate the USMC Shout Out!
