Archie Flak Aaa And Sam

Includes over 90 illustrations ‘Dr Kenneth Werrell’s history of ground-based air defense performs an important service both to scholarship and, more important, to the defense of our nation’s freedom. It is perhaps human nature that we tend over time to lose sight of the lessons of the past, especially when they do not conform to certain cherished preconceptions of ours. That such myopia can be dangerous, if not downright disastrous, Doctor Werrell’s study richly illustrates. Without sentimentalism, he chronicles a pattern of lessons learned and too quickly forgotten, as the marvel of air power was reminded again and again of its limitations and vulnerability. In Korea and in Vietnam, the American people were stripped of their illusions of national and technical omnipotence. The unhappy outcome of those two conflicts were doubly lamentable because the lessons of World War II were—or should have been—fresh in our minds. In that world war, as Doctor Werrell shows, relatively cheap ground-based air defense did make a difference: at Ploesti, at Antwerp, and at the Rhine bridges.

US Air Force assumptions about future conflicts have proved to be in error. Since 1945 the Air Force has geared itself for air-to-air combat and a nuclear exchange with a major power. Although this is certainly America's most serious challenge, it has turned out to be the least likely one. For the reality of war has proved to be far different. Since World War II the US Air Force has fought in two wars against minor powers, used conventional weapons, and found its chief opposition to be ground-based air defense weapons. Not only did the nature of war prove different from the one anticipated, but the technology took a turn away from the offense to favor the defense. The big contributor to this shift in the balance between the offense and defense was the emergence of effective surface-to-air missiles. The airmen never appreciated the impact of ground-based air defense systems until it was too late. The US Air Force used ECM, direct action, and tactics to nullify the defensive threat but, in so doing and in relearning old lessons, suffered heavy losses. What should be emphasized to all American military personnel, especially all airmen, is that since World War I and especially since early 1944, US airmen have lost more aircraft in combat to ground-based air defense systems than to hostile aircraft. There is no indication that the future will be any different.

Archie to SAM is an update to Kenneth Werrell's Archie, Flak, AAA, and SAM published in 1988. He continues to study ground-based air defense systems in new events, including the Gulf War. In rescuing ground-based air defense systems from long neglect, Werrell delves into such topics as tactics, leadership, change, and innovation.

Archie to SAM is an update to Kenneth Werrell's Archie, Flak, AAA, and SAM published in 1988. He continues to study ground-based air defense systems in new events, including the Gulf War. In rescuing ground-based air defense systems from long neglect, Werrell delves into such topics as tactics, leadership, change, and innovation

Command of the commons : the military foundation of U.S. Hegemony / Barry R. Posen / - Why do states build nuclear weapons? Three models in search of a bomb / Scott D. Sagan / - Never say never again : nuclear reversal revisited / Ariel E. Levite / - Preventing nuclear entrepreneurship in russia's nuclear cities / Sharon K. Weiner / - Pathogens as weapons : the international security implications of biological warfare / Gregory Koblentz / - Dreaded risks and the control of biological weapons / Jessica Stern / - Beyond the MTCR : building a comprehensive regime to contain ballistic missile proliferation / Dinshaw Mistry / - Human security : paradigm shift or hot air? / Roland Paris / - Security, stability, and international migration / Myron Weiner / - HIV / AIDS and the changing landscape of war in Africa / Stefan Elbe / - Collateral damage : humanitarian assistance as a cause of conflict / Sarah Kenyon Lischer / - Market civilization and its clash with terror / Michael Mouusseau / - T ...

US Air Force assumptions about future conflicts have proved to be in error. Since 1945 the Air Force has geared itself for air-to-air combat and a nuclear exchange with a major power. Although this is certainly America's most serious challenge, it has turned out to be the least likely one. For the reality of war has proved to be far different. Since World War II the US Air Force has fought in two wars against minor powers, used conventional weapons, and found its chief opposition to be ground-based air defense weapons. Not only did the nature of war prove different from the one anticipated, but the technology took a turn away from the offense to favor the defense. The big contributor to this shift in the balance between the offense and defense was the emergence of effective surface-to-air missiles. The airmen never appreciated the impact of ground-based air defense systems until it was too late. The US Air Force used ECM, direct action, and tactics to nullify the defensive threat but, in so doing and in relearning old lessons, suffered heavy losses. What should be emphasized to all American military personnel, especially all airmen, is that since World War I and especially since early 1944, US airmen have lost more aircraft in combat to ground-based air defense systems than to hostile aircraft. There is no indication that the future will be any different.

The origins of destruction -- The makings of a mission -- Planning Japan's demise -- Hansell's 21st Bomber Command -- Losses per unit of target destruction -- Down the path of destruction -- Death throes -- Interpreting the campaign.