AF

Congress approved ___ million in July 1917 to raise____ combat squadrons

$640 million, 354 combat squadrons

Persistence (Tenets of Airpower)

- Conducting airpower operations continuously against a broad spectrum of targets

Flexibility and Versibility (Tenets of Airpower)

- Flexibility allows airpower to quickly and decisively shift between campaign objectives - Versatility is using airpower effectively at all levels of warfare and with other joint force elements

Strategic Bombing in WWI

- Limited in scope and intensity - Had a negligible outcome on the war - Laid the foundation for future thought

Uses of Balloons and Dirigibles

- Reconnaissance - Artillery spotting - Bombing (extremely limited prior to WWI) - Morale Booster/Escape Means - Air transport of supplies

Applying Doctrine

- War fighting, not physics - Effects, not platforms - Using mediums, not owning mediums - Organization, not organizations - Synergy, not segregation - Integration, not just synchronization - The right force, not just equal shares of the force

Centralized Control/Decentralized Execution (Tenets of Airpower)

-Airpower must be controlled by JFACC -Delegation of execution authority

(Allied Bombing of Germany)

-Began in 1914; generally ineffective -British bombed German cities and airfields in retaliation for German strikes -Allies created the Inter-Allied Independent Air Force (IAIAF) in 1919 for the purpose of bombing Germany. War ended before the IAIAF was used

Strategic Bombing Becomes a Major Objective

-Casablanca Conference (January 1943) established strategic bombing as a major objective. -Destruction and dislocation of the German military, industrial, and economic system. -Undermining of morale of the German people -German aircraft industry was the top priority target -The ball bearing industry was a complementary target -Destruction of enemy aircraft industry would help achieve Air Superiority.

Sir Hugh Trenchard

-Commander of the Royal Air Force -Primary target should be civilian morale -Believed allies should attack German homeland -Attack around the clock

First US Offensive Action of World War 2 North Africa

-First use of US Ground forces against the Germans. -Provided valuable combat experience for ground and air forces. -Opportunity for British and United States to fight a combined arms campaign. -First defeat of the German forces since 1930.

Pursuit Aviation (Air superiority)

-Grew out of attempts to deny reconnaissance -1st air-to-air kill occurred in October 1914 -Developed rapidly in WWI -Key to winning the air war

Allied Strategy for Winning World War II

-Priority One: Safeguard Britain and United States -Priority Two: Fight a decisive air offensive against the Axis powers in Europe and fight defensively in Asia -Priority Three: Sustained air offensive against Japan after the Axis powers were defeated in Europe

Concentration (Tenets of Airpower)

-Putting overwhelming power at the decisive time and place

Reconnaissance and artillery spotting

-Take away the element of surprise - Hampered by weather/unserviceable aircraft

What was the impact of these achievements and changes?

...

What were significant airpower achievements and changes during this period?

...

The German Blitzkrieg

1 September 1939—Germany attacks Poland. Luftwaffe aircraft were employed: -To gain air superiority. -Cut supply lines. -Support ground forces. Germany then easily conquered Denmark, Norway, The Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

Strategic Airpower in the Pacific

18 April 1942—First strategic raid. 600-mile flight did little damage, but boosted morale of US forces and shocked the Japanese. Twentieth Air Force formed in 1944 specifically to bomb Japan. Initial results were poor due to high altitude bombing techniques.

At the end of WWI, Air Service had _____personnel and ______squadrons

183,000 personnel and 185 squadrons

Mitchell's Last Campaign

1922-1924—General Mitchell concentrated on developing doctrine; advocated strategic bombardment. 1925—Demoted to colonel because of his unrelenting support for a separate air force. " Court-martial began on 28 October 1925.

Orville and Wilbur Wright

1st to fly a heavier than air craft, 17 December 1903. Flight traveled 120 feet and lasted 12 seconds. Approached flying scientifically and systematically. Used experience of Lilienthal, Pilcher, and Chanute. Built a glider in Dayton, Ohio in 1899. Moved it to Kitty Hawk, N. Carolina in 1900

US Army accepted the first operational aircraft on 2 August 1909

2 August 1909

Wright brothers delivered first military aircraft on

20 August 1908

(Signal Corp Spec. #486)How many proposals were received? how many complied with specifications?

41 proposals were received, only 3 complied with specifications

Gen Curtis LeMay

9 March 1945 Launched first firebomb attack of Tokyo 279 B-29s participated. Burned 16 square miles, destroyed 267,000 buildings, and killed 85,000 people .

Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell

A visionary, fanatic, and prophet. Alienated many due to constant. attacks and need for 100% support. Technology not capable of meeting his expectations—cost him credibility. Tried to work within the System

Background to the Interwar Years

Civilian aviation boomed; military budgets were cut Air service sought to develop an air doctrine Period marked by organizational changes and personality clashes Few saw the potential of the airplane

Simplicity (Principles of War)

Calls for avoiding unnecessary complexity in organizing, preparing, planning, and conducting military operations

Allied Strategy to Defeat Japan

Campaign to re-supply troops in China and recapture Southeast Asia. Army AF flew the "hump" Supply route over the Himalayas A logistics triumph. South Pacific Offensive Island hopping campaign led by General MacArthur. Central Pacific Offensive Island hopping campaign led by Admiral Nimitz

Air Corp Act of 1926

Can be thought of as being triggered by General Mitchell. Army Air Service became Army Air Corps. Additional Assistant Secretary of War appointed to oversee air units. Air sections authorized in General Staff divisions Flying units to be commanded by rated officers.

Air Corps Act of 1926 (Organizational Changes)

Changed the name of the Air Service to Air Corps; implied the Air Corps was capable of independent operations

What aircraft did Ben Franklin see potential in?

The flight of the first hot-air balloon

Army Reorganization Act of 1920 (Organizational Changes)

Air Service gained autonomy in R&D, procurement, personnel, supply, and training

Counterair

Air-to-air combat

First US Offensive Action of World War 2 North Africa

Allied airpower reorganized in 1942 Command of the air forces went to Airmen The air officer decided the missions and allocated forces Missions became offensive in nature Flexibility of Allied airpower was restored and air superiority was attained Tactical missions followedand techniques refined Allies achieve victory in North Africa in May 1943

Union and Confederate forces employed Hot Air balloons during?

American Civil War

Forming the Army Air Force (AAF)

Army Air Corps and GHQ Air Force merged in June 1941 to form AAF. Merger resulted from decentralization of the War Department General Staff begun by General George Marshall in 1940. General Hap Arnold named commander. One step from full independence as a separate service.

United States Prepares for War

Army Air Corps was expande. -July 1940—Air Corps expands to 54 combat groups to include 14 heavy bomb groups. -March 1941—Air Corps expands to 84 combat groups to include 24 heavy bomb groups. Emphasis placed on bombers, not escort aircraft—hurts US bombing efforts.

Dickman Board of 1919

Assigned aviation units to ground control. Identified aviation unit functions.

Strategic Bombing of Ploest

August 1943 AAF launches attacks against oil refineries at Ploesti, Romania. 178 aircraft launched 90 lost. Raids were costly but needed to shorten the war. Attacks were designed to reduce Germany's oil and lubricant production.

How many pilots did the Aviation Section have, and how many aircrafts?

Aviation Section had 56 pilots and less than 250 airplanes; none ready for combat

Balance (Tenets of Airpower)

Balancing principles of war and the tenets of airpower to bring Air Force capabilities together to produce a synergistic effect

Percy Pilcher

Built airplane chassis

Brig Gen Mitchell vs. Navy

Claimed the battleship was obsolete. Replaced by more effective and economical airplane. Air Service planes bombed and sank three ships. Infuriated the Navy leadership. Sparked interservice feuding. Air Service still not given the mission of coastal defense.

Reconnaissance

Collecting visual and photographic information

George Kenney (ACTS)

Commanded the Pacific Air Force in WWII. Taught attack aviation—strafing attacks on enemy troops and behind enemy lines

Strategy

Defines how operations should be conducted to accomplish national policy objectives.

Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell

Deputy Chief of Air Service in 1919 Believed the airplane would change the defense establishment Believed the air service was an offensive force equal to the Army and Navy

Air Force Doctrine

Describes and guides the proper use of airpower in military operations. What we have come to understand, based on our experience to date. Provides common set of understanding on which Airmen base their decisions.

Anthony Fokker (Dutch)

Designed synchronizing gear so bullets would pass through the spinning propeller blades

Octave Chanute

Developed a double winged-glider/wrote history of flight to 1900

Roland Garros (French)

Developed metal strips for propellers, so machine gun bullets would not shatter the props

Interest in balloons dropped quickly because of what development?

Development of Heavier-than air vehicles

Airpower's first major impact was?

During World War I

Strategic Bombing of Schweinfurt Germany

Eighth AF bombs the ball bearing plants at Schweinfurt in Summer 1943. Losses were unacceptable. No fighter escorts left bombers vulnerable to enemy fighters and antiaircraft artillery

AWPD 1—Target List

Emphasized the offensive nature of the mission. Ground support missions were secondary. Four major targets were... -Electrical power facilities -Transportation assets and structures -Synthetic petroleum production plants -Aircraft industry facilities

Signal Corp Spec. #486

Established the requirements for the first military aircraft. Aircraft must be able to: - Carry two persons - Reach speed of 40 mph - Carry sufficient fuel for 125 mile nonstop flight - Be controllable in flight in any direction - Fly at least 1 hour Land at take-off point, without damage - Be taken apart and reassembled in 1 hour - No military operational requirements specified

Tactical Airpower in the Pacific

Far East Air Force (FEAF)—formed to support the South Pacific campaign Made up of the Fifth and Thirteenth Air Forces. Used innovative techniques, such as fragmentation bombs, to interdict enemy positions and troops Employed fighters and medium bombers; P-38 was a huge success Won air superiority through a war of attrition

Menoher Board of 1919-20

First nation to mobilize an air fleet in wartime would have the advantage.

Samuel P. Langley

First to secure government support to develop an airplane. - Failed twice to fly from houseboat in 1903 - Congress withdrew monetary support

Mitchell's Legacy

Focused attention on airpower. Forced acceptance of the potential of airpower. Mentored many aviators who would carry on his work, some became instructors at the Air Corps Tactical School (ACTS).

Background to the Interwar Years

Following WWI, the United States returned to isolationism Army Air Service reduced from 20,000 officers in 1918 to near 2,000 in late1919

Air War Plans Division Plan # 1

Formulated in response to Roosevelt's call for American air doctrine. Established independent operating objectives for the Air Corps. Called for precision bombing of German industry and economy. Flawed because it did not provide for long-range fighter escort.

Air Corp Tactical School (ACTS)

Founded in 1920 at Langley Field, Virginia. Renamed Air Corps Tactical School in 1926. Moved to Maxwell Field, Alabama in 1931. Original mission to teach air strategy and tactics.Mission changed to developing and teaching air doctrine.

Tenets of Airpower

Fundamental truths that are unique to the air and space environment. . . . - Centralized Control and Decentralized Execution. - Flexibility/ Versatility. - Synergistic Effects. -Persistence. -Concentration. -Priority. -Balance.

Air Corp Tactical School (ACTS)

Future wars would be decided by airpower.Airplane would be the primary offensive weapon of modern forces.High-altitude, strategic, daylight bombing could paralyze and defeat an industrialized enemy without heavy losses. Preoccupation with bombers and their missions overwhelmed other teachings

"In our victory over Japan, airpower was unquestionably decisive. That the planned invasion of the Japanese Home islands was unnecessary is clear evidence that airpower has evolved into a force co-equal with land and sea power, decisive in its own right, and worthy of the faith of its prophets."

General Carl A. Spaatz

Giulio Douhet

General in the Italian Army Believed airpower was supreme after WWI. Believed bombers would win all wars. Air weapon would be used against ports, railroads and economic structures. Best way to gain air superiority was to destroy the enemy's ground organization

Fokker Triplanes

German aircraft that put the Germans back on top in 1917

What country used Dirigibles to bomb England and flew surface fleet observation in World War I ?

Germany

Policy

Guidance that is directive or instructive, stating what is to be accomplished. It reflects a conscious choice to pursue certain avenues and not others.

US Strategic Bombing of Germany

Heavily influenced by ACTS and bomber advocates. Some felt strategic bombing alone would defeat Germany. Others believed strategic bombing would weaken Germany and a ground invasion would be required for her surrender.

Principles of War

Historically tested Apply equally to all US Armed Forces. Unity of Command, Objective, Offense, Mass, Maneuver, Economy of Force, Security, Surprise, Simplicity

In (Early Years of Flight) during what year did man first flew aloft in a balloon?

In the Year 1783

Gen Curtis LeMay

January 1945—General Arnold put Gen Curtis LeMay in charge of strategic bombing. Changed tactics to use incendiary bombs. Lowered bombing altitude to improve B-29s' accuracy

End of the War

Japan surrendered 15 August 1945. WWII ended formally with ceremonies on the USS Missouri on 2 September 1945.

General Arnold

Key Event:Alaska flight and AAF Key Weapons:B-10 Key Doctrinal Emphasis:

General Tunner

Key Event:China-India-Burma Hump Key Weapons:C-47, C-46 Key Doctrinal Emphasis: Airlift

General Spaatz

Key Event:North Africa Key Weapons:P40, B-25,P-51 Key Doctrinal Emphasis: Centralized Command, CAS,Interdiction

General Kenny

Key Event:Tactical Island hopping Key Weapons:P-38 Key Doctrinal Emphasis: Interdiction

General LeMay

Key Event:Tokyo fire bombing Key Weapons: B-29 Superfortress Key Doctrinal Emphasis: Strategic bombing

Ferdinand Von Zeppelin

Know for flying in dirigibles. Zeppelins first flown in 1910

Claire Chennault (ACTS)

Led the Flying Tigers in WWII Taught pursuit aviation—advocated escorting bombers and strafing enemy rear areas

Surprise (Principles of War)

Leverages the security principle by attacking the enemy at a time, place, or in a manner for which they are not prepared

Priority (Tenets of Airpower)

Limited resources require that airpower be applied where it can make the greatest contribution to the most critical requirements

Strategic Bombing in Europe (cont'd)

Long-range fighter escorts arrived in theater December 1943. 8 AF resumed raids into Germany in February 1944

In what location did the French military use the hotair balloon for combat

Maubege

Who flew the first hot-air balloon in 1783?

Montgolfier Brothers

Nieuports and Spads (French)

Most reliable and flexible aircraft in 1916

Did Airpower have an immediate impact in the Early Years of Flight?

No immediate impact

Air Force Functions

Nuclear Operations: Air Superiority: Counterair: Counterland: Space Operations: Cyberspace Operations: Command and Control: Global Integrated ISR: Strategic Attack: Air Mobility: Personnel Recovery: Combat Support: Special Operations:

Giulio Douhet

Once air superiority was achieved, bombers would concentrate on cities to destroy industry and morale Influenced by Italian geography where there was little threat of a ground invasion His doctrine led to a Total War Concept—war on the nation as a whole, not just military forces

Army Reorganization Act

Passed by Congress in 1920. Air Service raised in stature equal to the Infantry, Artillery, etc. Air Service granted procurement, research, and training autonomy. Air Service units assigned to ground control,opposed by General Mitchell. Army aircraft coastal defense mission specified and limited.

Establishment of General Headquarters (GHQ) Air Force in 1935 (Organizational Changes)

Placed all tactical units under the Commander, GHQ. Recognized an independent aviation branch within the Army

Maneuver (Principles of War)

Places the enemy in a position of disadvantage through the flexible application of combat power in a multidimensional combat space

Lead to the End of the War

President Truman authorizes nuclear strikes against Japan. 6 August 1945: Hiroshima bombed—70,000 killed. 9 August 1945: Nagasaki bombed—40,000 killed.

1917-18: Germans begin night bombing w/ Zeppelins and Reisen bombers their objectives were to?

Primarily terror raids Strengthened British morale; destroyed little war making capacity

"Anyone who has to fight, even with the most modern weapons, against an enemy in complete command of the air, fights like a savage against modern European troops, under the same handicaps and with the same chances of success."

Quote by: Field Marshal Erwin Rommell

The United States Enters WW II

Relations between the United States and Germany deteriorate—USS Reuben James sunk in October 1941. Relations with Japan worsened in 1941. -Japan continues Asian aggression -July 1941—Roosevelt froze Japanese assets in U.S. and halts all American trade with Japan -7 December 1941—Japan attacks Pearl Harbor

Application of Airpower

Roles: Broad and enduring purposes for which the Services were established by law.Missions: Tasks assigned by the President or Secretary of Defense (SecDef) to combatant commanders. Functions: Specific responsibilities that enable the Services to fulfill their legally established roles

Dirigible

Steerable balloons, often called Airships. had its first successful flight in 1884 -

(Bombing of Britain) 1915-16: Germans conducted daylight bombing raids against Britain w/Zeppelins, Why did they not continue

Stopped because of poor results

Strategic Bombing of Germany Early Efforts

Strategic bombing of Europe was Eighth Air Force responsibility. First raids were against marshaling yards in France—little effect. Late 1942 and early 1943: Eighth AF attacked small targets in Europe—good experience, little effect.

Strategic Bombing

Strikes deep into enemy territory to destroy war making capabilities

Interdiction

Striking enemy resources close to the battlefield

Otto Lilienthal

Studied gliders and first to explain the superiority of curved surfaces

Close Air Support

Support of ground forces

European Strategic Bombing: Lessons Learned

Target list was not what it should have been. Terror bombing of civilians  was ineffective and did little  to lower morale. Bombers needed fighter escorts to and from the target

Japanese Objectives

Territorial expansion to reduce overcrowding at home and gain raw materials. Fill the power vacuum in the Southwest Pacific created by German aggression in Europe. Keep the US out of the war for two years with a knockout blow at Pearl Harbor.

Brig Gen William "Billy" Mitchell

The Army and Navy strongly opposed these views Americans wanted no part of a service that looked offensive in nature

1898 Greely balloons were used to direct artillery fire during what Battle?

The Battle of San Juan Hill

What country first used the Hot Air Balloon for military purposes?

The French

Brigadier General Adolphus W. Greely

The Grandfather of military aviation in the United States. Revived interest in military capability of balloons in 1891.

Col Edgar S. Gorrell

Theories mirrored Trenchard, but felt bombing should concentrate on one city at a time until destroyed Ignored during war, ideas recognized in 1930s Believed best way to stop Germans was to destroy production Stressed continuous day/night bombings to deprive Germans of rest and repair time.

Principles of Operation

These, in combo with Principles of War, create Principles of Joint Ops. Unity of Effort, Restraint, Perseverance, Legitimacy

was U.S air service prepared to enter WWI?

US Air Service was totally unprepared

Reaction to the Airplane

US government was very skeptical at first. Not interested because of Langley's failures. Britain and France were very enthusiastic. President Roosevelt directed the Secretary of War, W. H. Taft, to investigate the Wright Brothers' invention in 1906-1907 Chief Signal Officer, BG James Allen, issued Specification #486 calling for bids to build the first military aircraft

Airmindedness

Unique Perspective of Airmen. Not merely abstract term to capture how Airmen feel; rather, it is an active cognitive process that leads to proper application of airpower Enables Airmen to think/act at tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war

US Bombing Strategy

United States committed to high-altitude, daylight precision bombing. Believed heavy bombers, flying in formation, could fight their way to the target and back. US strategy ignored weather conditions, target obstruction, fighter opposition, and antiaircraft artillery.

First US Offensive Action of World War 2 North Africa

United States learned valuable lessons concerning the employment of airpower in tactical situations. Initial problems experienced by the Allies -Air units were split among ground units. -Ground commanders didn't share aircraft. -Airpower used defensively. -Airpower employment fragmented and inflexible.

Interdependent Dimensions

air, space, cyberspace

Economy of Force (Principles of War)

calls for the rational use of force by selecting the best mix of air, space and cyber space

Mass (Principles of War)

concentrate the effects of combat power at the most advantageous place and time to achieve decisive results

Doctrine

fundamental principle by which the military forces or elements thereof guide their actions in support of national objective. It is authoritative but requires judgement in application.

What year did the United States entered the World War I ?

in April 1917

1917: Germans reinitiated daylight raids w/ Gotha bombers, where there effort effective or ineffective?

ineffective

Jimmy Doolittle

led flight of 16 bombers from the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Hornet 18 April 1942—First strategic raid in Japan.

Security (Principles of War)

never permit the enemy to acquire unexpected advantage

what year did the US Army signed contract with Wright Brothers

on 10 February 1908

Synergistic Effects (Tenets of Airpower)

proper application of a coordinated force across multiple domains

Until WWI balloons, dirigibles, and aircraft were primarily used as reconnaissance vehicles

reconnaissance vehicles- Early on, the flying machines were not seen as weapons of war

Airpower

the ability to project military power or influence through the control and exploitation of air space and cyberspace to achieve strategic operational and tactical objectives