Airpower in Irregular Warfare

his paper opens with an historical survey of air power's extensive use in irregular warfare. These experiences are then contrasted with a review of the halting development of IW doctrine. Next the pros and cons of two organizational options, either standing up an IW Wing(s) or assigning the mission to USSOCOM, are analyzed. The paper concludes with recommendations for building a balanced capability, integrating doctrine, and consolidating these efforts with with education, training and exercises.