Strategic Posture, Al Qaida's Goals

Thursday, November 26, 2009

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA Members, last week AFA held its Global Warfare Symposium in LA. We had some great speakers - to include Secretary of the Air Force Donley, Gen Chilton, Gen Kehler, Gen North, Lt Gen Klotz, and many others. We will be putting transcripts of the speeches on our website ... but there were several which brought out great points.

With all the press on: Quadrennial Defense Review, Space Posture Review, Nuclear Posture Review, Ballistic Missile Defense Review, and a follow-on START treaty with Russia, Gen Chilton's talk was especially timely. In it he laid out what he needs to do his very complex mission. You can find it on the STRATCOM website here.

Lt Gen Klotz's talk centered on the challenges facing the newest Major Command in the Air Force - Global Strike Command. One thing he said struck me - "Every Air Force officer should read the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States." The report was written by a committee chaired by former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry. Since General Klotz is one of the smartest officers on active duty [and one of two Rhodes Scholars who are Lt Generals], I took the time to read the report - and Gen Klotz is right - it is a seminal report worth your time. You can find it here.

The rest of the speeches will be put on our website next week - probably mid-week. Check our website then click the Global Warfare Symposium button on the right side of the home page.

Finally, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we need to remember the sacrifices of our great Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians serving in harm's way - protecting our freedom. It is also worth noting that the enemy is global and it has stated its aims very clearly. While I could go into great detail on what those aims are ... the best depiction is one simple map.

I found this map on the web 5 years ago ... and kept it in a visible place in my office. A couple of things to note - first is the title of the map. Secondly, take a look at the lower right corner of the map. When someone asks me what Al Qaida wants, showing this map is the simplest way to point out their strategic aims, the long-term nature of the conflict, and the enemy's patience.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Industrial Base, Aircraft Costs

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA Members, one concern I have had, following SECDEF's April decisions to shut-down or truncate seven aircraft production lines, is the continued vibrancy of the aerospace industrial base. As you may recall, the AF depends upon industry to produce the systems they need to defend the nation's interests both at home and abroad. This base has produced the world's best weapon systems – by any measure – and has provided the tools to facilitate the stunning military victories we have enjoyed these past 30+ years. The question for us all is: Can we continue to assume the industrial base will always be there in the future?

Dr. Rebecca Grant, Director of the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies, has produced a Mitchell paper which addresses this question. You can find the paper on our website at: http://www.afa.org/Mitchell/Reports/MP4_Arsenal_1009.pdf

Secondly, several months ago, during a Mitchell Institute presentation on the Hill, a Congressional Staff member asked a simple question: Why do weapon systems cost so much? Dr Grant answered him … and I added my two cents. However, I think neither of us did a very good job with our answers. Two weeks ago, I drafted a response to share with you … and sent it to several retired General officers for their comment. One – Gen (Ret) Richard E. Hawley – came back to me … not with edits, but with his own paper … which (not surprisingly) was better than mine. You can find a link to Gen Hawley's paper at: http://www.afa.org/edop/2009/WhyWeaponsSystemsCostSoMuch.pdf

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

CSAR, Sorties, Afghan, PRC Cyber, ABL

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, and DOCA members, one of our staff members pointed me to a piece in Aimpoints - a pictorial about Combat Search and Rescue in Afghanistan - which is focused on the great work done by the Air Force's PJ's. The piece was done in September by Michael Yon - who was imbedded with the AF's CSAR forces. What I found interesting about the piece was its insights into what it is like to be deployed to Afghanistan - the scenery, the great work done by US forces, and the very-real dangers. Secondly, one can easily see why the Air Force needs a new replacement helicopter for this mission … and why this mission is not a "pick-up" mission. There has to be a dedicated force which trains, lives and breathes this mission. Finally, the heroism of these units makes one proud to have served with them. The link to the piece can be found at: http://aimpoints.hq.af.mil/display.cfm?id=35673 [caution: the file is large and may take some time to download].

Secondly, the Air Force, on 3 Nov 09 recorded its 100,000th sortie this year in support of our forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is a milestone of which all of us can be proud.

Three very good op-eds for your consideration. The first looks at Afghanistan through the lens of Viet Nam. It is can be found at: http://www.newsweek.com/id/221632

The second discusses China's Cyber offensive: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703399204574508413849779406.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

The third, by Gen (Ret) Lyles, argues that DOD's cuts to the Airborne Laser Program were misguided: http://www.afa.org/edop/2009/ABL%20Lyles--Washington%20Examiner.pdf

For your consideration,

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

2010 Statement of Policy, Airpower in Afghanistan

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA Members, In Sept AFA decided on its Statement of Policy for 2010. Its focus is on a Balanced Air Force - balanced in terms of capabilities today … and tomorrow. The long version can be found at: http://www.afa.org/AboutUs/SOP2010.pdf

For those of you who want the condensed version, you can find it at: http://www.afa.org/AboutUs/TopIssues_2010.pdf

Secondly, two weeks ago there was a piece in a South Carolina newspaper which highlights just one aspect of Airpower's contributions to the fight in Afghanistan - that of airlift's vital role. You can find the story at: http://www.thestate.com/local/story/993752.html

Finally, with the national debate raging on what to do in Afghanistan, two Congressional leaders - Congressman Ike Skelton and Senator Joe Lieberman offered their advice in a piece entitled: "Don't Settle for Stalemate in Afghanistan." The piece appeared in the Washington Post a couple weeks ago and a link to it can be found on our website at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/16/AR2009101602650.html

For your consideration,

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association