December 2006

Vol. 89, No. 12

 
Highlights from the December 2006 Issue

The Night Shift

When the sun goes down, the workday is just beginning at Hurlburt Field, Fla., for Air Force Special Operations Command’s gunship crews.

Aerospace World

Airman Killed in Iraq Patrol A1C Leebernard E. Chavis, 21, of Hampton, Va., died Oct. 14 on duty in Iraq. Chavis was killed while serving as a turret gunner during a patrol of the Baghdad area with Iraqi police, the...

Verbatim

Quagmire Theories “The American people have heard the critics say we’re failing—but their reasons keep changing. In the first days of Operation Enduring Freedom, the critics warned that we were headed toward a ‘quagmire.’ And then when the Taliban fell,...

P-51 Mustang

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USAAF’s Declaration of Independence

“War Department Field Manual FM 100-20: Command and Employment of Airpower” United States War Department Washington, D.C. July 21, 1943 FULL TEXT VERSION In World War II, the drive for a separate US air arm moved two giant steps forward....

Letters

The Ten Truths Regarding “The Ten Truths,” by Editor in Chief Robert S. Dudney, October 2006, [“Editorial,” p. 2]: Sounds a lot like [a] hymn “How Great We Art.” In the 1950s, I would argue with my brother. I said,...
 
Complete Contents of December 2006 PDF
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A Force For the Long Run
Some new emphasis on irregular threats was warranted, but overcorrection can be dangerous.
By Robert S. Dudney

Washington Watch
In Space, Pain and Gain; Flexing Muscles in the Pacific; Raptors Through the Years ....
By John A. Tirpak

Eighty-Six Combat Wings
The Air Force has determined its ideal force of strike, JSR, and mobility forces for 2012.
By Adam J. Hebert

The Airborne Laser Narrows Its Beam
Everything now hinges on successfully shooting down a ballistic missile in 2008.
By John A. Tirpak

The Flying Tigers
Their combat run was only seven months, but that was enough to establish their legend.
By John T. Correll

The Night Shift
When the sun goes down, the workday is just beginning at Hurlburt Field, Fla., for Air Force Special Operations Command's gunship crews.
By Guy Aceto

The Billy Mitchell Syndrome
Airpower advocates always have, and always will, face certain occupational hazards.
By Rebecca Grant

Toward Zero Mishaps
The Pentagon wants few accidents. Air Force leaders are thinking more like none.
By Otto Kreisher

The American Theater
In modern US history, the military's domestic role has never been this large
By James Kitfield

The Night They Saved Vega 31
The rescue of F-117 pilot Dale Zelko was a close-run thing.
By Darrel Whitcomb

AFA Statement of Policy: Investing Now in Airpower for Tomorrow
The Air Force Association's 2007 Statement of Policy adopted by AFA 's National Convention on Sept. 24, 2006 in Washington, D.C.

Departments


Letters

The Chart Page

Aerospace World

Index to Advertisers

Senior Staff Changes

Action in Congress

Verbatim

Field Contacts

Flashback

The Keeper File

Books

This Is AFA

AFA National Report

Unit Reunions

Airpower Classics