Airpower Applied: U.S., NATO, and Israeli Combat Experience (History of Military Aviation)

Product Description Airpower Applied reviews the evolution of airpower and its impact upon the history of warfare. Through a critical examination of twenty-nine case studies in which various U.S. coalitions and Israel played significant roles, this book offers perspectives on the political purpose, strategic meaning, and military importance of airpower. The authors demystify some of airpower’s strategic history by extracting the most useful teachings to help military professionals and political leaders understand what airpower has to offer as a “continuation of politics by other means.” This volume explores how warfare has changed over the last few decades and why airpower has become a dominant factor in war. The case studies emphasize the importance of connecting policy and airpower: operational effectiveness cannot substitute for poor statecraft. As the United States, its allies, and Israel have seen in their most recent applications of airpower, even the most robust and capable air weapon can never be more effective than the strategy and policy it is intended to support. By analyzing the operational history of the world’s most battle-tested air forces, the accounts in this book can give military professionals insight into the political context in which air operations must be assessed, build their appreciation of the strategic value of airpower, and serve as a practical guide to the best uses of this potentially decisive tool. Review "A great book of quality, which offers an exciting perspective on the political, strategic rose, and aerial operational power."―Politique Etrangere "... A good overall view of important portions of both the 20th century's and the early 21st century's records of aerial warfare."―Naval Historical Foundation "Most aviation books focus on one aircraft, a battle or a war but few cover the long-term air power trends from the wide to the narrow details. This is a major reason I enjoyed reading Airpower Applied, as the text covers insights from WWI to the near present and focuses on the air power lessons of the past three decades." ―Tailhook "Airpower Applied is a fascinating and discriminating look into air combat experience involving the United States, NATO, and Israel in a series of conflicts beginning in 1941 and ending in this century."―Air Power History "...review the evolution of military air forces in the US and Israel and how operational airpower has been used to secure international strategic and political objectives." ―Aerospace "Airpower Applied [is] a well-researched book offering a different angle of reporting how three different groups--the United States, NATO, and Israel--have conducted several very important aviation campaigns in the last 100 years.... A good overall view of important portions of both the twentieth century's and the early twenty-first century's records of aerial warfare."―Marine Corps University Journal "This comprehensive and thoughtful account of recent campaigns can help military professionals and interested general readers to understand how airpower has become an increasingly more important and at times decisive political tool for conflict resolution--but only when appropriately exercised as part of a carefully crafted policy. I highly recommend Airpower Applied to officers of all services and civilians interested in defense and security, international relations, and military history." ―Air and Space Power Journal "This volume has an impressive scope with contributions by high-caliber authors who shed new light on the use and importance of airpower to the United States, its NATO allies, and Israel. This is a must-read for theorists, practitioners, and strategists alike." ―GEN. PHILIP M. BREEDLOVE, 17th Supreme Allied Commander Europe "This new work analyzes a number of separate air campaigns from World War II to present. For each campaign, the author gives a concise summary of the event and the factors that contributed to it. He also analyzes the effectiveness of