Friday, September 14, 2007
The U.S. Army vs. The U.S. Air Force?
"Those who fail to learn history are doomed to repeat it."
What happens when you subordinate the development and sustainment of an effective Air Force to the U.S. Army? You get our current situation.
Don't get me wrong, I am a true fan of the U.S. Army. I just happen to be on the receiving end of the Army's ignorance of Air Power when it comes to creating the Iraqi Air Force.
That's about as far as I can go with this train of thought for now. Some day there will be books written on the doctrinal battles fought between the Army and Air Force here in Iraq, and they won't be pretty. I now know what Billy Mitchell felt like back in the 1920s, argueing the importance of having an Air Force to a bunch of Army Generals.
Until then, never forget....
"Air power is the supreme expression of military might, and fleet and armor no matter how vital, must accept a subordinate role."
Sir Winston Churchill
Try selling that to the U.S. Army.
posted by El Capitan at 11:10 AM
3 Comments:
membrain said...
I just discovered your blog through a post by David Tate. Keep up the good work. Thanks for serving.
12:39 PM Southern (in)Sanity said...
That doesn't sound good. Hang in there. I'm sure y'all will get it sorted out.
6:27 PM Outlaw 13 said...
Not that I know that much about what is going on in your AO...part of the problem may lie in the fact that they are trying to build an Army at the same time...and money isn't exactly unlimited.
Some USAF guys I share the ramp with here at lovely Camp Taji have more frustrations with the rest of the USAF than with the Army.
I think it's about perspective. Some of us Army guys have as many problems with our leaders as you do...so don't feel like the lone ranger.