Airpower Airpower Thru the Thru the Cold WarCold War

Master OverviewMaster Overview

Vietnam I – A Chronology Vietnam II – Uses of Airpower Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

Rebuilding OverviewRebuilding Overview

Cold War CFD Review First Generation Weapon Systems Second Generation Weapon Systems Grenada – Urgent Fury Libya – El Dorado Canyon Panama – Just Cause

Review of CFD ModelReview of CFD Model

Distinctive Capabilities: Air and space expertise, capabilities and technological know-how that produces superior military capabilities

Functions: Broad, fundamental and continuing activities of air and space power

Doctrine: fundamental principles which military forces guide their actions in support of national objectives

Review of Distinctive CapabilitiesReview of Distinctive Capabilities Air and Space Superiority :  With it, joint forces can dominate enemy operations

in all dimensions -- land, sea, air and space.

Global Attack:  Because of technological advances, the Air Force can attack anywhere, anytime -- and do so quickly and with greater precision than ever before.

Rapid Global Mobility:  Being able to respond quickly and decisively anywhere we're needed is key to maintaining rapid global mobility.

Precision Engagement:  The essence lies in the ability to apply selective force against specific targets because the nature and variety of future contingencies demand both precise and reliable use of military power with minimal risk and collateral damage.

Information Superiority:  The ability of joint force commanders to keep pace with information and incorporate it into a campaign plan is crucial.

Agile Combat Support:  Deployment and sustainment are keys to successful operations and cannot be separated. Agile combat support applies to all forces, from those permanently based to contingency buildups to expeditionary forces.

CFD ModelCFD ModelTime Period Distinctive

CapabilitiesFunctions(missions)

Doctrinal Emphasis

Berlin Airlift      

     

Korean Conflict      

     

Vietnam      

     

Rapid Global Mobility Airlift Strategic Airlift

Theater Airlift

Theater attack, Of military targets

Air SuperiorityPrecision EngagementGlobal AttackRapid Global MobilityAgile Combat Support

Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction

Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack

Strategic attack and Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence nuclear deterrence prior to Vietnamprior to VietnamShift towards Shift towards deterrence through deterrence through strength and global strength and global attack attack

Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction

Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack

Air and Space Superiority

Precision Engagement

Agile combat support

Review of Air and Space FunctionsReview of Air and Space Functions

Strategic AttackStrategic AttackCounterairCounterairCounterspaceCounterspaceCounterlandCounterlandCounterseaCounterseaInformation Information

Operations (IO)Operations (IO)Combat SupportCombat SupportCommand & ControlCommand & ControlAirliftAirlift

Air RefuelingAir Refueling

SpaceliftSpacelift

Special OpsSpecial Ops

IntelligenceIntelligence

Surveillance and Surveillance and ReconnaissanceReconnaissance

Combat Search and Rescue Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)(CSAR)

Navigation and PositioningNavigation and Positioning

Weather ServicesWeather Services

CFD ModelCFD ModelTime Period Distinctive

CapabilitiesFunctions(missions)

Doctrinal Emphasis

Berlin Airlift      

     

Korean Conflict      

     

Vietnam      

     

Rapid Global Mobility Airlift Strategic Airlift

Theater Airlift

Theater attack, Of military targets

Air SuperiorityAir SuperiorityPrecision EngagementPrecision EngagementGlobal AttackGlobal AttackRapid Global MobilityRapid Global MobilityAgile Combat SupportAgile Combat Support

Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction

Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack

Strategic attack and Strategic attack and nuclear deterrence nuclear deterrence prior to Vietnamprior to VietnamShift towards Shift towards deterrence through deterrence through strength and global strength and global attack attack

Counterland Close Air Support Interdiction

Airlift Reconnaissance Search and Rescue Air Refueling Strategic Attack

Air and Space Superiority

Precision Engagement

Agile combat support

Rebuilding for SpaceRebuilding for Space

Weapon SystemsWeapon Systems

•Two key fighters developed•McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle•General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon

•Close air support led to A-10 Thunderbolt•Rockwell B-1B Lancer•Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS)•Peacekeeper Missile

Second Generation WeaponsSecond Generation Weapons

Stealth aircraft Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Northrop B-2 Spirit

New airlifter McDonnell Douglas C-17 Globemaster

Boeing/Grumman E-8 Joint STARS New, advance fighter

Lockheed Martin F-22

Military Operations in the 80’s Military Operations in the 80’s

• Prime Minister killed in coup in 83 and increased influx of Russian/Cuban influence

• US objectives Protect US citizens, 1000 medical students Neutralize hostile Grenadian/Cuban elements Restore the legitimate government

• Operation URGENT FURY Army Rangers and 82nd Airborne Division Supported by Air Force resources

GrenadaGrenada

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s““Grenada”Grenada”

• Lessons Learned All services must plan and coordinate

jointly before the operation occurs Applying overwhelming force quickly is

the key to victory

**

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s““Libya”Libya”

• Muammar Qaddafi linked to terrorism and specific bombing of disco in Berlin

• Libyan targets struck in Apr 86• Operation EL DORADO CANYON

AF F-111s Navy and Marine aircraft Four of five main targets severely damaged

         

 

• Lessons Learned Superb joint coordination US able to strike terrorists

when targets were identified

That the US was willing to strike terrorist targets

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s“Libya”“Libya”

**

         

 

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s““Panama”Panama”

• General Noriega Indicted on drug trafficking charges US forces harassed in the Canal Zone Implied threats to security of the Canal Marine Lt killed in an incident

• President Bush ordered Operation JUST CAUSE

         

 

• Objectives of Operation JUST CAUSE Remove Noriega from power Safeguard the Panama Canal Restore the democratic government in Panama

• Dec 89 operation began AC-130 Spectre gunships used First use of F-117 Noriega surrenders after seeking refuge in

Vatican embassy

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s““Panama”Panama”

         

 

Military Ops in the 80’sMilitary Ops in the 80’s““Panama”Panama”

• Lessons Learned Strike quickly with overwhelming force

using mobility, surprise, and precision Army and Marines recognized the need

for light deployable forces Joint coordination had vastly improved

since Grenada!

Rebuilding OverviewRebuilding Overview

Cold War CFD Review First Generation Weapon Systems Second Generation Weapon Systems Grenada – Urgent Fury Libya – El Dorado Canyon Panama – Just Cause

Master OverviewMaster Overview

Vietnam I – A Chronology Vietnam II – Uses of Airpower Rebuilding the Air and Space Force

Airpower Airpower Thru the Thru the Cold WarCold War