Published: 1 June 2008
Air & Space Power Journal - Summer 2008

Winged Defense: The Development and Possibilities of Modern Air Power—Economic and Military by William Mitchell. Dover Publications (http://www.doverpublications.com), 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, New York 11501-3852, 2006, 320 pages, $9.95 (softcover).

In their book The Dynamics of Military Revolution, 1300–2050 (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001), editors MacGregor Knox and Williamson Murray observe that revolutions in military affairs require the assembly of a complex mix of tactical, organizational, doctrinal, and technological innovations to implement a new conceptual approach to warfare or a specialized subbranch. William Mitchell’s book Winged Defense, originally published in 1925, reads as a smartly articulated, remarkably detailed, passionate, and persuasive argument for the US government and military leadership to recognize airpower as a necessary revolution in military affairs with monumental economic application: “Those interested in the future of the country, not only from a national defense standpoint but from a civil, commercial and economic one as well, should study this matter carefully, because air power has not only come to stay but is, and will be, a dominating factor in the world’s development” (p. 119).

Mitchell emphatically expressed that America needed to embrace airpower as a primary means of national defense and deterrence of aggressors through the establishment of an independent US Air Force: “Our development must be based on the grand hypothesis that future contests will depend primarily on the amount of air power that a nation could produce and apply” (p. 31). His comprehensive understanding and articulation of the required force and equipment structure, support infrastructure, aircraft capabilities and employment tactics, training, maintenance, role of government in financing design development (based on capability needs), manufacturing of aircraft, and so forth were incredible, reflecting sheer visionary genius. Emphasizing the value of airpower’s speed, he also saw the economic value of air transport, noting the numerous commercial roles that airplanes would eventually play in transporting goods and providing services for businesses and consumers as well as federal, state, and local governments.

At that time, many people considered his thinking regarding the role of airpower too futuristic, radical, possibly self-serving, and controversial to be taken seriously. However, he proved through recorded exhibitions that emerging airpower capabilities had a distinct strategic advantage over conventional stand-alone ground and naval forces. Furthermore, Mitchell argued that this advantage would widen, making the United States vulnerable to attack. In retrospect, his clarity of purpose, vision, and strong conviction—while others wandered lost in the myopic fog of the time—was uncanny. Acting on concerns of risking service reliance and obsolescence, the Navy and War Departments eventually embraced airpower in fighting future wars by developing the Navy carrier and Army Air Corps. This adaptation led to great successes during World War II. Subsequently, Mitchell’s notion of an independent Air Force would come to fruition.

His vision of airpower proved prophetic and an unparalleled instrument for change in military defense and economic activities. His unwavering, single-minded advocacy of the importance of airpower and the lead role he insisted the United States play in its development and application culminated in an unrivaled, cutting-edge air and space industry that has become the envy of the world.

Arguably no American was more instrumental in promoting the development and use of airpower than Billy Mitchell. Winged Defense remains a premier aviation classic and a must-read for all service and commercial aviators. Logisticians, military historians, entrepreneurs, economists, leaders of all types, and those interested in the power of ideas will find this book valuable.

Dr. David A. Anderson, Lieutenant Colonel, USMC, Retired
US Army Command and General Staff College
Leavenworth, Kansas 

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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