Sponsored by the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI) and the Royal United Services Institute, the conference was held by Kings College London on 18-19 May 2009 and focused on deterrence "to help understand and begin to develop policy frameworks that fit the current and emerging security context." Assembling some of the best minds on deterrence, the conference afforded speakers an opportunity to "invigorate this essential tool for today's policy community." In addition, the conference included two preconference "thought pieces" and two "quick looks" by AFRI personnel.

From the introduction by Michael Moseley, USAF Chief of Staff: "This book, "Guidelines for Command," is the result of countless hours of research and contains the collective thoughts and lessons learned from many previous commanders. It has a wealth of information to assist you during your tenure as a commander. Use it in conjunction with your personal leadership skills, your base's subject-matter experts, and your fellow commanders to lead our Airmen to new heights." Taking Command. Chapter 2: Leading and Developing Airmen. Chapter 3: Commanding Expeditionary Forces. Chapter 4: Commander's...

Colonel Cox examines the command of Lt Gen George H. Brett in his wartime assignments. General Brett's leadership did not take him to four stars, why? Cox looks at the reasons why he was not promoted, especially, as he began his war time service second in command to Gen Henry "Hap" Arnold. In his examination, first published in 2004, Cox shows the reader Brett's outstanding leadership, his limitations, and delves into the interplay of broader factors that ultimately impacted General Brett's career. This book provides insight toward becoming an effective commander and leader.

Originally published in 1999. Colonel Williams presents a comprehensive study of British bombing efforts in the Great War. He contends that the official version of costs and results underplays the costs while overplaying the results. Supported by postwar findings of both US and British evaluation teams, he argues that British bombing efforts were significantly less effective than heretofore believed. Colonel Williams also presents a strong argument that German air defenses caused considerably less damage to British forces than pilot error, malfunctioning aircraft, and bad weather. That we...

Col Charles M. Westenhoff, USAF, retired, has compiled a thought-provoking collection of ideas from an array of luminaries-including contemporary and legendary generals, innovative tacticians and strategists, world leaders, and philosophers. The quotations were chosen for their value to Airmen and the profession of arms. The aim of this book is to supply Airmen with useful thoughts that might help them meet their known responsibilities and the unknown challenges their service will bring. Gen T. Michael Moseley, chief of staff, USAF, notes that "understanding the way that our predecessors...

"Attitudes Aren't Free: Thinking Deeply about Diversity in the US Armed Forces," is a collection of essays (and a few speeches), most written for this volume, on the themes of religious expression, homosexuality, gender, race, and ethics in the military. The contributors include activists, military members, academics, and other experts. Attitudes Aren't Free does not promote one view on these contentious issues but rather allows the writers to advocate for their diverse positions with thoughtful, well-reasoned arguments. This volume offers a framework for critical thought and candid...

Through the eyes and ears of Jerry L. Thigpen, the story of the Combat Talon sees the light of day. Based on thorough research, with a mind to details, Thigpen tells the story of how the Combat Talon became the weapon of choice in long-range, clandestine operations. Combining the chronological and thematic approaches, this book begins with a historical background that opens with the World War II period and concludes in 2000 after having received many accolades and recording many successful exploits. This is a reprint of this extensive 2001 study.

"So you're 22 years old, you've just gotten your commission, you've arrived at your first duty station, you've met with your commander, and you're now 'in charge' of a group of enlisted men and women, all of whom have been in service longer than you, know a whole lot more about military life than you, and are expecting more than you know. To top it all off, your first 'subordinate' happens to be a 30-year veteran of every war you ever read about, and his rank is, yes, E-9. He's not an E-10 only because that rank doesn't exist. Now what do you do? Let me tell you. . . ." In Heirpower Eight...

The United States government promulgates national security policy through a complex, recursive negotiation process across multiple interagency players. When coercive intervention requires the use of force, it is imperative to understand the ways in which interagency conflict within the US government influences policies regarding conflict termination and withdrawal. Drawing upon the experiences of 135 interagency participants, Maj Vicki J. Rast, USAF, examines the conflict termination policy development processes for the Persian Gulf War (1990-91) and the Bosnia Conflict (1993-95)

This book examines the German air force monograph project known as the Karlsruhe project where the US Air Force employed former Luftwaffe generals to record the history of World War II from the German perspective. The Air Force monographs have proven useful to historians because of their high quality. The Karlsruhe monographs writers were insulated from outside pressure, and produced studies immediately useful to the military. The Air Force ignored the monographs and failed to benefit from the experience of the Luftwaffe. The author illustrates the inherent tensions in writing official...