Warfighting Practices In The Military

The after taking 25 years to develop the F22 Raptor from conception to operational certification the United States Air Force (USAF) produced the world’s first 5th Generation air superiority fighter. (site) This revolutionary fighter plane leveraged its very low observable stealth (VLO) and thrust-vectoring and digital fly by wire technology, to produce an extremely fast, agile and deadly air to air combatant. (GEO P 2) However, in 2009 Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, (SECDEF) convinced the President (POTUS) and Congress to truncate the F22 program, leaving the USAF with less than 187 operational F22 Raptors, this number was well short of the 381 the USAF estimated they needed to meet their mission requirements. (AWC 1/ site) Gates made his controversial decision based on three factors. This essay will explore these factors and explain how the 2009 U.S strategic environment, the overall cost of the F22 and Secretary Gates’ desire to change the Department of Defense (DOD) all lead to the decision to limit the production of the F22 Raptor at 187 aircraft.

The Soldiers of Alpha Battery, 80th AAA Battalion adapted to their constant environment and altered their specialty. Once they arrived in Ardennes, the unit’s mission changed from Anti-Aircraft, to supporting ground units with 57mm anti-tank gun. These Soldiers were Anti-Aircraft by trade, but adapted their skills to make an impact where they were the most needed. Modern day Air Defense Artillery adapts much in the same way. The ever changing world calls for new systems, different training, and a higher operational tempo. The Air Defense Artillery branch is always changing and adapting to modern military operations. The 21st of December proved how vital Anti-Aircraft Soldiers were to large combat operations. Their training allowed them to operate the 57mm anti-tank guns which turned out to be vital to stopping the German advance and eventually securing victory in Europe. In today’s military operations the Air Defense Artillery protects vital areas from aerial attack allowing Operation Commanders a location to land troops and supplies. Every battle and war is dependent on a supply route and without a secured supply route, no combat element can secure a victory. The 80th AAA Battalion proved how their adaptability and their support of large combat

The Marine Corps ability to execute in such an environment hinges on the MAGTF’s center of gravity, the Aviation Combat Element (ACE), and specifically its ‘game-changer’, the MV-22 Osprey. The unique capabilities of this aircraft, especially when coupled with the refueling capability of the C-130, truly provide a unique and efficient method to flow forces over distances inconceivable merely a generation ago. In this instance, the aircraft is the innovation: determining to apply a unique capability in regions of instability is simply logical. However, the semantics of what qualifies innovation is inconsequential. Marines, deployed as a self-contained package, with all of their associated things, can rapidly respond to crisis, bridge gaps between

Throughout military history, there have been many leaders that can be considered either visionary or ethical. This paper will discuss how BG Robin Olds was a visionary leader, but not a very ethical leader. From the beginning of his career, he was a visionary in aerial combat tactics and a true believer of leading from the front. His vision of aerial combat was beyond his years, but often fell upon deaf ears due to his flamboyant nature. He never hesitated to say exactly what was on his mind, which is why his actions could be considered unethical. But, his men loved him, and would follow him to hell and back. First, this paper will discuss BG Olds’ visionary leadership abilities he displayed the Viet Nam

     The name General Carl ‘Tooey’ Andrew Spaatz has become synonymous with the phrase air power and strategist. Air power has come along way since Wilbur and Orville launched the first airplane in 1902 in the city of Kitty Hawk. Famous engineers have taken the Wright-Brothers design and made great improvements to them while slowly integrating these new powerful means of transportation, weaponry and communication aids into the military. Since the onset of World War I there has been a debate on how to most effectively use these new airplanes in the Army’s collection. Most individuals believed that airplanes should be under control of the Army theater commander, while very

Instead, “the kind of plane that men wanted to be seen in” is the B-17 Flying Fortress (63). The Flying Fortress is “handsome, masculine, nimble, fiercely armed, reliable, long-winded, and practically indestructible” (63). This is in stark contrast to the B-24, and depicts the B-17 as the superior aircraft. They are only similar “[o]n paper,” but their real life performance could not be more different

Prior to the Sarah Bonnifield Vietnam Scholarship opportunity, I had never researched or been educated on the unique importance of the Air Force in the Vietnam War. However, as I looked into it, I became increasingly interested in and aware of the incredible significance the USAF played throughout the duration of the war. The Air Force used novel strategies and adopted several new roles in during Vietnam that had never been used in previous wars or conflicts. In addition to these tactics, new technology and weapons emerged during this time period that changed the way that the Air Force would be utilized in conflicts and wars from that point on.

A submission to the Faculty of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School in partial satisfaction of the requirements for Joint Professional Military Education Phase II. The contents of this submission reflect our writing team’s original views and are not necessarily endorsed by the Joint Forces Staff College or the Department of Defense.

In chapter eight of Sherry’s novel “The Rise of American Air Power.” Sherry writes about the obsession war generals had with air warfare during the 20th century. He brings up the time Roosevelt decided to use atomic bombs in World War II against Japan and how he wanted to drop these bombs over Japan by aircraft carrier. The technological aspect behind this mission is complicated and made Roosevelt ‘fantasize’ about becoming more advanced in technological warfare. However, some of these improvements left others up in arms, the use of telegraphs left war generals upset about how they were always being interrupted by their superiors during missions. Another advancement that led soldiers up in arms was the operational commands. Operational Commands were in charge of running the airways and pilots would always complain about how they would interfere air battles and cause a distraction. However, Operational Commands had their perks like the use of radar to detect any

A few decades ago, the military needed an upgrade on its cargo and troop carrying capabilities. In the 1950’s, the less modern World War II cargo aircraft were the C-190, C-47, and C-46’s. These did not meet the requirements for a continuously modernizing U.S. Military. (Simpson, M. (2011, October 19)). Therefore, in 1951, the U.S. Air Force put out a General Operating Requirement for a new airframe that will meet specifications in the category’s of how many passengers or paratroopers it will hold, as well as size

The U.S. military has been around since the early days of the United States. They have always been there to provide protection for its citizens. Many people are against war, but most can appreciate what soldiers do to protect this country. Military actions are not cheap though because of the equipment and technology that is required to do their job. The military is a certain service that the United States has needed throughout history, and it is still needed today. Because the military in the United States is undervalued, people need to be informed how important the military is to this country.

“A hill is another chance to climb.” Failure effects everyone on Earth. The difference is that everyone responds to said failures in different ways. Since I was young, I faced roadblocks. The way I faced these failures are what defines me. Even though it is difficult, I try to learn something from each of them. A failure that truly taught me a valuable lesson was the end of my senior football season. The events and lessons that I took away from this failure will help guide me for the rest of my life.

Lashing out against the policy makers in the Navy back at home, Coonts offers deep insights into the mindset of a fighter pilot. Painting a picture of the

pieces, the gruesome and vivid details of which are amplified by the familiar irony of an Army commander attempting, despite his unit being understrength, to amass an impressively large enemy body count. Incredibly, the military brass, eager for good public relations, twisted reality and attempted to claim victory. Back in the states, violence which mirrors the battlefield erupts at the University of Wisconsin, where Madison police pummel demonstrators with clubs and fire tear gas into their midst. The protestors are like the soldiers, many are young and naive, some wearing military surplus clothing to emphasize their warlike campaign, and both groups engage in zealous combat against tangible

Culture of a nation is manifested and influenced by a number of factors. National psyche and traits being the most pronounced ones. Military culture , to a certain extent , is in harmony with the national culture, however, it has its own impulses and dynamics. It incorporates obedience that curtails individual freedom or at times it may be at tangent with the socio-cultural values of a society ; Military culture of British – Indian Army ,as inherited by us is a case in point here. Philosophy of our present military outlets draws strength from history , organisational infrastructure , uniform , traditions social moorings and a host of other factors which , despite numerous changes , is still undergoing the process of evolution.