Airpower Contributions to Irregular Warfare

Current operations throughout five geographic combatant commands collectively demonstrate the need for a totally flexible and adaptable U.S. Air Force. No longer are we focused exclusively on a type of warfare in which we can dominate in short, kinetic and decisive engagements. Understanding this premise is absolutely critical to the future. The United States Air Force's ability to conduct persistent Irregular Warfare in denied, ungoverned, and under governed areas is critical to the Department of Defense's overall ability to wage IW, accomplish strategic objectives and win both current and future wars. This study focuses not only on the Air Force's stated contributions to IW, but more the real issue of how much capacity is really required within its stated capabilities and what must be done to resolve any shortfalls. Critical as well, is the fact that it is absolutely necessary for the Air Force to maintain a balanced force that is capable and flexible to operate within conventional as well as irregular warfare.