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Document created: 4 September 03
Air
& Space Power Journal - Fall 2003
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I was so inspired by Lt Col Sharon Latour and Lt Gen Bradley Hosmer’s article (“Emotional Intelligence: Implications for All United States Air Force Leaders,” winter 2002) that I felt compelled to write a short message of thanks! To be honest, I was delighted to see the Journal’s dedication to the leadership topic in this issue, and it was interesting to read this article in particular. With a psychology background and interest in human behavior, I wanted to learn more about emotional intelligence (EI), so I ran out and purchased two books by Dr. Daniel Goleman: Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ (his original book on EI) and Primal Leadership: Realizing the Power of Emotional Intelligence (written with Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee). I had heard about EI before, but this was the first I had heard about its application to leadership- and, of course, it makes perfect sense. Thanks again for the spark needed to ignite my passion to learn more about EI. I look forward to seeing Air Force leaders continue to embrace EI.
Capt Alejandro “Alex” Garcia Jr., USAF
Hickam AFB, Hawaii
My compliments to Lt Col Phil Haun on his well- written article “Direct Attack- A Counterland Mission” (summer 2003). Well done. Your readership may be interested to know that this particular subject was raised at the Hap Arnold Doctrine Symposium of spring 2002. It was raised as a direct result of air operations experience in Afghanistan, but it is not a new issue- there are many examples from Desert Storm, Deliberate Force, Allied Force, and now Iraqi Freedom, in which the interdiction and close air support mission categories did not capture airpower’s contribution to counterland operations.
The intent of raising the issue was to establish an appropriate mission area entitled “battlefield air operations (BAO)” for all the reasons that are identified in Colonel Haun’s article. With respect to the name, “direct attack (DA)” will work just as well as BAO. As a result of discussion of the issue with the Chief and the general officers present at the spring 2002 conference, a white paper was written on the subject. The bottom line for why we need to formally establish this new mission category is to highlight a critical capability for joint force commanders; to ensure proper organization, training, and equipping for the mission; to ensure that appropriate supported/supporting relationships are established for execution; and to provide appropriate command and control arrangements.
Air Combat Command (ACC) recently hosted (June 2003) an Air Force–wide conference to update AFDD 2-1.3, Counterland. The conclusions were as follows: (1) the USAF needs to add a new mission area, direct attack, to Counterland, (2) killboxes should be established in joint and Air Force doctrine as the primary Airspace and Fire Support Coordination Measure, and (3) strike coordination and reconnaissance (SCAR) should replace Killer Scout. These issues will now be fully developed at the Air Force Doctrine Working Committee (AFDWC) session for AFDD 2-1.3, Counterland, on 5–7 August 2003.
While there are those who do not believe that some of these changes are necessary, I believe that the preponderance of the empirical data and the logic, with respect to how these initiatives can enhance the war-fighting capability of a joint force commander, will carry the day. Keep those great ideas and articles coming!
Maj Gen Dave Deptula, USAF
Director, ACC Plans and Programs
Langley AFB, Virginia
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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