MAJ MICHAEL J. PETERSEN, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

The View in the Crystal Ball

FORTY-NINE years ago, on 18 September 1947, the Air Force became a separate service. The Air University Quarterly Review debuted as the professional journal of the newly independent Air Force with its Spring 1947 issue. In the Winter issue of that year, Maj Gen Muir S. Fairchild, Air University commander, editorialized that "the United States faces a state of insecurity in the future unparalleled in our history" (page 79). The general painted a grim picture, likening the United States to the great civilizations of history--Ur, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, and Rome. He reminded the reader that the pattern has always been the same:

A young, vigorous nation rises to the heights of power and prosperity. But once so risen, a strange softening process sets in to sap that vigor and vitality which alone made the rise possible. That process is marked by an increase of greed and selfishness among men, by concern for self interest above the common welfare, by unwillingness to sacrifice and to serve, and by lack of sense of individual responsibility to act for the good of the nation as a whole.

...where today is the might that was Babylon, the magnificence that was Egypt, the glory that was Greece, the power that was Rome?

...unless we maintain clearly adequate Air Power in being, no matter at what sacrifice of goods and treasure, all else may well be futile. (Page 80)

Twenty-five years later, editorial comment of any substance had disappeared, and the September-October 1972 issue of the Air University Review--our predecessor--marked the "completion of [the Air Force’s] first quarter-century as an autonomous military service" (page 1), with the publication of historian Herman S. Wolk’s article "Men Who Made the Air Force." Wolk suggested that, to airmen, autonomy simply meant recognition--not of air support or air superiority or air interdiction--but a recognition of the legitimacy of long-range bombing, which, coupled with atomic weapons, gave promise that strategic bombing could be the "power of decision in modern conflict" (page 10).

Who were these men? Arnold, Spaatz, Symington, Eaker, LeMay, Vandenberg, and others brought to the fledgling Air Force a "new military philosophy" (page 22). They were the heretics and revolutionaries of their time. They found themselves at a crossroads: World War II had ended, the cold war was beginning, and the United States was dominant from 1945 to 1947. To them, only long-range bombers and atomic weapons--forces in-being--instead of the traditional American peacetime military posture could lead to postwar security. Only deterrence could maintain peace, and only strength could maintain deterrence.

This issue begins Airpower Journal’s year-long celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Air Force. We will feature historical pieces designed not only to celebrate the occasion, but also to stir comment--perhaps even controversy--as we investigate directions the Air Force may take as it enters both its second 50 years and a new millennium. A glance at the table of contents shows that we start with articles historical and futuristic, operational and strategic, evocative and provocative.

Fifty years ago, the Air Force was learning to operate autonomously, facing interservice rivalry, budget battles, uncertainty, questions about doctrine development, new technology, and a very different world. Today, we seem to be singing the same song, second verse. We are still learning to operate--only now jointly--and we still face interservice rivalry, budget battles, and uncertainty. Furthermore, we’re working on change 10 to basic doctrine. Where will we be as a service in another 25 or 50 years? Would today’s airmen be able to recognize the future Air Force? Will we talk of airpower, aerospace power, or air and space power? Will we devolve solely into space and information operations? The scene in the crystal ball is shifting and nebulous--an image we can see but darkly. We hope that these articles and others will bring that indistinct picture into focus and encourage further speculations for the flight into the next 50 years.

[ Back Issues | Home Page | Feedback? Email the Editor ]