Airpower’s Crucial Role in Irregular Warfare
Airpower’s Crucial Role in Irregular Warfare by Frank Hoffman in the SWJ Blog.
Quote:
I'm writing to make everyone aware of an outstanding article on airpower's many crucial enabling contributions to Irregular Warfare. I think this will interest everyone given our
previous exchanges on airpower and the
COIN manual.
General Peck's article is a balanced, even restrained, articulation of what airpower can and has brought to today's ongoing irregular campaigns, and highly recommend it. Gen Peck is the Commander of the Air Force Doctrine Center and Vice Commander of Air University. He brings impressive operational and academic credentials to bear on the subject, including his 300 combat hours in the F-15...
General Peck's article at the link...
This is most probably a stupid question.
I know I am skipping back a few coments and I must admit I haven't finished all of the material being discussed. I understand the imprtance and utility of airpower in COIN operations, but is the Air Force best suited to this? Should in fact the Army be allowed to obtain certain fixed wing capabilites exclusive to close air support and certain transport capabilities? I know this is probably going to piss off a lot of Air Force guys, but I am still a little perplexed about the choices in the structure and duties of the services. I understand the need for the Air Force in that it ensures that a service will dedicate sufficient funding to air power and research, but should this be limited to air supremacy, transport and larger ordinance bombing, particularily nuclear?