Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower: An Introduction

Military Strategy, Joint Operations, and Airpower will introduce readers to contemporary strategy and the operational-level of war, particularly as it relates to airpower. This intermediate textbook was developed as foundational reading for all US Air Force Academy cadets, and it is designed to close the gap between military theory and military practice. It asks readers to reconceive the military as a "profession of effects" rather than as a profession of arms because much of the military's work and impact no longer involves kinetic warfare. The book covers strategic foundations; operational design and joint-service operations; the air, space, and cyber capabilities that comprise modern airpower; and contemporary challenges in the application of strategy. The contributing authors include both military practitioners and scholars of security studies, political science, and history. In addition to being required reading for Air Force cadets and ROTC students, the book will provide an essential overview of strategy and practice for anyone interested in modern airpower.