DOCSLIB.ORG

Archie to SAM: a Short Operational History Of

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Archie to SAM: a Short Operational History Of Form Approved Report Documentation Page OMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington VA 22202-4302. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to a penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number. 1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED 2. REPORT TYPE AUG 2005 - 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Archie to Sam. A Short Operational history of Ground-Based Air Defense 5b. GRANT NUMBER 5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NUMBER Air University Press,Maxwell AFB,AL,36112 9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S) 11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT NUMBER(S) 12. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENT Approved for public release; distribution unlimited 13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES The original document contains color images. 14. ABSTRACT see report 15. SUBJECT TERMS 16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE 307 unclassified unclassified unclassified Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98) Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18 Archie to SAM A Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air Defense Second Edition KENNETH P. WERRELL Air University Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama August 2005 Air University Library Cataloging Data Werrell, Kenneth P. Archie to SAM : a short operational history of ground-based air defense / Kenneth P. Werrell.—2nd ed. —p. ; cm. Rev. ed. of: Archie, flak, AAA, and SAM : a short operational history of ground- based air defense, 1988. With a new preface. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-58566-136-8 1. Air defenses—History. 2. Anti-aircraft guns—History. 3. Anti-aircraft missiles— History. I. Title. 358.4/145—dc22 Disclaimer Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. Cleared for public re- lease: distribution unlimited. Air University Press 131 West Shumacher Avenue Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6615 http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil ii In memory of Michael Lewis Hyde Born 14 May 1938 Graduated USAF Academy 8 June 1960 Killed in action 8 December 1966 A Patriot, A Classmate, A Friend Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER . ii DEDICATION . iii FOREWORD . xiii ABOUT THE AUTHOR . xv PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION . xvii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION . xix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xxi 1 ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE THROUGH WORLD WAR II . 1 British Antiaircraft Artillery . 4 The V-1 Campaign . 13 American Antiaircraft Artillery . 22 German Flak . 24 Allied Countermeasures . 42 Fratricide . 46 The US Navy in the Pacific . 49 Japanese Antiaircraft Artillery . 53 The Lessons of World War II . 57 Notes . 59 2 FROM GUNS TO MISSILES, 1945–1965 . 69 Antiaircraft Returns to Combat: The Korean War . 75 Antiaircraft Missiles . 81 Notes . 106 3 AIRMEN VERSUS GUERRILLAS: VIETNAM . 113 French Operations . 113 America Enters the War . 114 v CONTENTS Chapter Page SAMs Join the Fight . 119 American Air Operations through Linebacker I . 127 Linebacker II . 132 Conclusions . 137 Notes . 139 4 OPERATIONS BETWEEN VIETNAM AND THE PERSIAN GULF . 147 Arab-Israeli Wars: 1948, 1956, 1967–1973 . 147 The 1973 War . 149 Combat since 1973: Bekaa Valley . 155 American Air Strikes in the Middle East, 1983–1986 . 157 Indo–Pakistani War . 159 The Falkland Islands/Malvinas War, 1982 . 160 Other Actions in the 1980s . 168 Summary . 173 Notes . 174 5 BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE: THE EARLY YEARS TO 1991 . 181 Army Development . 182 The Kennedy Administration . 185 Ballistic Missile Defense: Rebirth . 196 The Strategic Defense Initiative: Star Wars . 197 The Gulf War: Patriot versus Scud . 199 The Patriot . 202 Patriot in Action . 204 Notes . 208 6 GROUND-BASED AIR DEFENSE SINCE 1990: THE GULF, THE BALKANS, AND AFGHANISTAN . 217 War in the Persian Gulf . 217 Air Defense since 1991: Iraq, Balkans, and Afghanistan . 229 Notes . 232 vi CONTENTS Chapter Page 7 BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENSE IN THE 1990s . 237 TMD Hardware: PAC-3, MEADS, Arrow, Naval Developments, and THAAD . 239 Navy Systems . 244 A New Threat . 248 George W. Bush and BMD . 257 Notes . 260 8 SUMMARY, TRENDS, AND CONCLUSIONS . 269 Summary . 269 Trends (Speculations) . 273 Conclusions . 275 INDEX . 277 Illustrations Figure 1 Improvised antiaircraft artillery (AAA) . 2 2 Standard US heavy AAA gun during the interwar years . 4 3 German 88 mm gun . 5 4 3.7-inch gun on a Pile mattress . 7 5 British women in training . 8 6 Rocket firings . 9 7 British 40 mm light antiaircraft gun and crew . 12 8 Diving V-1 bomb prior to impact in London . 12 9 Diagram of initial defensive deployment . 14 vii CONTENTS Figure Page 10 Pile mattress . 16 11 Diagram of final defensive deployment . 18 12 Barrage balloons . 21 13 US 90 mm M-1 gun . 23 14 US quad .50 gun . 25 15 German 40 mm Bofors . 26 16 German 88 mm gun . 27 17 German 128 mm AAA gun . 29 18 German railroad-mounted 128 mm guns . 30 19 B-24 at Ploesti . 31 20 Ploesti smoke screen . 32 21 Taifun . 36 22 Enzian . 37 23 Rheintochter . 38 24 Schmetterling . 39 25 Wasserfall . 40 26 Falling B-24 . 42 27 Damaged B-17 . 43 28 Chaff . 44 29 German 20 mm gun . 46 viii CONTENTS Figure Page 30 George Preddy . 48 31 USN 20 mm gun . 51 32 USN 40 mm gun . 52 33 A-20 aircraft sequence . 54 34 Falling B-29 . 56 35 Duster . 70 36 Skysweeper . 71 37 Vulcan Phalanx . 72 38 Vulcan M163 . 73 39 F-51 Mustang . 77 40 Army SAMs . 82 41 Nike Ajax . 84 42 Nike Hercules . 86 43 Bomarc . 89 44 Thunderbird . 90 45 Seaslug . 91 46 Hawk launch . 93 47 Hawk intercepting an F-80 . 94 48 Mauler . 95 49 Chaparral . 97 ix CONTENTS Figure Page 50 Redeye launch . 99 51 Stinger launch . 102 52 Avenger . 103 53 Bradley Linebacker . 104 54 SA-7 Grail . 105 55 Captured North Vietnamese antiaircraft gun . 116 56 North Vietnamese gunners . ..
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Archie to SAM a Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air Defense
    Archie to SAM A Short Operational History of Ground-Based Air Defense Second Edition KENNETH P. WERRELL Air University Press Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama August 2005 Air University Library Cataloging Data Werrell, Kenneth P. Archie to SAM : a short operational history of ground-based air defense / Kenneth P. Werrell.—2nd ed. —p. ; cm. Rev. ed. of: Archie, flak, AAA, and SAM : a short operational history of ground- based air defense, 1988. With a new preface. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 1-58566-136-8 1. Air defenses—History. 2. Anti-aircraft guns—History. 3. Anti-aircraft missiles— History. I. Title. 358.4/145—dc22 Disclaimer Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency. Cleared for public re- lease: distribution unlimited. Air University Press 131 West Shumacher Avenue Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6615 http://aupress.maxwell.af.mil ii In memory of Michael Lewis Hyde Born 14 May 1938 Graduated USAF Academy 8 June 1960 Killed in action 8 December 1966 A Patriot, A Classmate, A Friend THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Contents Chapter Page DISCLAIMER . ii DEDICATION . iii FOREWORD . xiii ABOUT THE AUTHOR . xv PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION . xvii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION . xix ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . xxi 1 ANTIAIRCRAFT DEFENSE THROUGH WORLD WAR II . 1 British Antiaircraft Artillery . 4 The V-1 Campaign . 13 American Antiaircraft Artillery . 22 German Flak . 24 Allied Countermeasures . 42 Fratricide . 46 The US Navy in the Pacific .
    [Show full text]
  • Me 262 P-51 MUSTANG Europe 1944–45
    Me 262 P-51 MUSTANG Europe 1944–45 ROBERT FORSYTH Me 262 P-51 Mustang Europe 1944–45 ROBERT FORSYTH CONTENTS Introduction 4 Chronology 8 Design and Development 10 Technical Specifications 25 The Strategic Situation 35 The Combatants 42 Combat 55 Statistics and Analysis 74 Aftermath 76 Further Reading 79 Index 80 INTRODUCTION In the unseasonably stormy summer skies of July 28, 1943, the USAAF’s Eighth Air Force despatched 302 B‑17 Flying Fortresses to bomb the Fieseler aircraft works at Kassel‑Batteshausen and the AGO aircraft plant at Oschersleben, both in Germany. This was the “Mighty Eighth’s” 78th such mission to Europe since the start of its strategic bombing operations from bases in England in August of the previous year. On this occasion, for the first time, and at least for a part of their journey into the airspace of the Reich, the bombers would enjoy the security and protection of P‑47 Thunderbolt escort fighters. The latter had been fitted with bulky and unpressurized auxiliary fuel tanks that were normally used for ferry flights, but which greatly extended their usual range. Yet even with this extra fuel, the P‑47s could only stay with the bombers for part of their journey. Herein lay a dichotomy. Despite warnings to the contrary from their Royal Air Force (RAF) counterparts, senior staff officers in the USAAF believed in the viability of undertaking future unescorted daylight missions to key targets within Germany. In January 1943 Prime Minister Winston Churchill and President Franklin D. Roosevelt met in Casablanca to determine a plan for Allied victory.
    [Show full text]
  • The Historyof Spaceflight
    CHAPTER15 THEHISTORY AND HISTORIOGRAPHYOF NATIONALSECURITY SPACE’ Stephen B. Johnson e intent of this essay is to provide space historians with an overview of Th.the issues and sources of national security space so as to identify those areas that have been underserved. Frequently, ballistic missiles are left out of space history, as they only pass through space instead of remaining in space like satellites. I include ballistic missiles for several reasons, not the least of which is that they pass through space en route to their targets. Space programs originated in the national security (NS) arena, and except for a roughly 15-year period from the early 1960s through the mid-l970s, NS space expenditures in the United States (U.S.), let alone the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), have equaled or exceeded those of civilian pro- grams. Despite this reality, the public nature of government-dominated civil- ian programs and issues of security classifications have kept NS space out of the limelight. The recent declassification of the early history of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) and the demise of the Soviet Union have led to a recent spate of publications that have uncovered much of the “secret history” of the early Cold War. Nonetheless, much of NS space history has received little attention from historians. One feature of military organizations that is of great value for historians is their penchant to document their histories, and space organizations are no exception. Most military organizations have historians assigned to them, with professional historians at many of the positions documenting events as they occur.
    [Show full text]
  • Space History: State of the Art ~
    SECTION VI SPACE HISTORY: STATE OF THE ART ~ INTRODUCTION hat is the current state of space history as the 21st century commences Wand the Space Age reaches its 50th anniversary? Is it a vibrant marketplace of ideas and stimulating perspectives? Is it a moribund backwater of historical inquiry with little of interest to anyone and nothing to offer the wider historical discipline? As the four essays in this section demonstrate, space history is at neither extreme of this dichotomy. It has been energized in the last quarter century by a constant stream of new practitioners and a plethora of new ideas and points of view. A fundamental professionalization of the discipline has brought to fruition a dazzling array of sophisticated studies on all manner of topics in the history of spaceflight.Y et, as the collective authors of the section argue, there is much more to be done, and each offers suggestions for how historians might approach the field in new and different ways, each enriching what already exists. This section opens with an essay by Asif A. Siddiqi assessing the state of U.S. space history. He asserts that scholars have concentrated their work in one of four subfields that collectively may be viewed as making up the whole. As Siddiqi writes, “Some saw the space program as indicative of Americans’ ‘natural’ urge to explore the frontier; some believed that the space program was a surrogate for a larger struggle between good and evil; others wrote of a space program whose main force was modern American technology; and oth- ers described a space program whose central actors were hero astronauts, rep- resenting all that was noble in American culture.” He notes that space history started as a nonprofessional activity undertaken by practitioners and enthu- siasts, always viewing the field from the top down and producing an excep- tionally “Whiggish” perspective on the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Sp-2006-4702-Section
    SECTION VI SPACE HISTORY: STATE OF THE ART ~ INTRODUCTION hat is the current state of space history as the 21st century commences Wand the Space Age reaches its 50th anniversary? Is it a vibrant marketplace of ideas and stimulating perspectives? Is it a moribund backwater of historical inquiry with little of interest to anyone and nothing to offer the wider historical discipline? As the four essays in this section demonstrate, space history is at neither extreme of this dichotomy. It has been energized in the last quarter century by a constant stream of new practitioners and a plethora of new ideas and points of view. A fundamental professionalization of the discipline has brought to fruition a dazzling array of sophisticated studies on all manner of topics in the history of spaceflight.Y et, as the collective authors of the section argue, there is much more to be done, and each offers suggestions for how historians might approach the field in new and different ways, each enriching what already exists. This section opens with an essay by Asif A. Siddiqi assessing the state of U.S. space history. He asserts that scholars have concentrated their work in one of four subfields that collectively may be viewed as making up the whole. As Siddiqi writes, “Some saw the space program as indicative of Americans’ ‘natural’ urge to explore the frontier; some believed that the space program was a surrogate for a larger struggle between good and evil; others wrote of a space program whose main force was modern American technology; and oth- ers described a space program whose central actors were hero astronauts, rep- resenting all that was noble in American culture.” He notes that space history started as a nonprofessional activity undertaken by practitioners and enthu- siasts, always viewing the field from the top down and producing an excep- tionally “Whiggish” perspective on the past.
    [Show full text]
  • Star Wars US Tools of Space Supremacy
    Wirbel 00 prelims 8/10/03 16:31 Page iii Star Wars US Tools of Space Supremacy Loring Wirbel Pluto P Press LONDON • STERLING, VIRGINIA Wirbel 00 prelims 8/10/03 16:31 Page iv First published 2004 by Pluto Press 345 Archway Road, London N6 5AA and 22883 Quicksilver Drive, Sterling, VA 20166–2012, USA www.plutobooks.com Copyright © Loring Wirbel 2004 The right of Loring Wirbel to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 0 7453 2115 1 hardback ISBN 0 7453 2114 3 paperback Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Wirbel, Loring, 1957- Star wars : US tools of space supremacy / Loring Wirbel. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 0–7453–2115–1 (HARDBACK) –– ISBN 0–7453–2114–3 (PAPERBACK) 1. Ballistic missile defenses––United States. 2. Astronautics, Military––United States. 3. Space weapons. 4. Space warfare. 5. Space surveillance––United States. 6. Militarism––United States. 7. United States––Military policy. 8. Military-industrial complex––United States. I. Title. UG743.W56 2004 358'.8'0973––dc22 2003015720 10987654321 Designed and produced for Pluto Press by Chase Publishing Services, Fortescue, Sidmouth, EX10 9QG, England Typeset from disk by Stanford DTP Services, Northampton, England Printed and bound in Canada by Transcontinental Printing Wirbel 00 prelims 8/10/03 16:31 Page v Contents Acronyms
    [Show full text]
  • Vol 16 Issue 5
    -W ^ AIR UNIVERSITY R eview Roll Call UMPIRING AND EVALUATING JOINT EXERCISES.. .LESSONS OF LEBANON .. .THE JAPAN AIR SELF DEFENSE FORCE JULY-AUGUST 1965 UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AIR UNIVERSITY REVIEW T — * AIR UNIVERSITY FIeview THE PROFESSIONAl JOURNAL OF THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE U mpuung E xehcise Deser t Strike............................................................................................................. 2 Maj. Gen. John C. Meyer, USAF Air Mo bil it y in the Fie l d Test Laboratory.....................................................................................................14 Biig. Gen. Andrew S. Low, Jr., USAF L esson s of Leba n o n : A S tudy in Air Strategy....................................................................................28 Col. Albert P. Sights, Jr., USAF Air c r a f t Commitments to Rússia : T he M oscow C onference, S eptember -O ctober 1 9 4 1 .......................................................................44 Dr. Richard C. Lukas T he Negl ec t ed Tasks of Officer Education.......................................................................................... 54 Lt. Col. Ralph L. Giddings, Jr., USA Military Affairs Abroad J apans Air Sel f Defen se Force................................................................................................................... 60 Maj. Gilbert \1. Billings, Jr., USAF Air Force Review Air c r a f t Integrated Data S ystem s.......................................................................................................72 Maj. Gen.
    [Show full text]
  • Guide to Aces and Heroes ■ 2007 USAF Almanac
    Magazine’s Guide to Aces and Heroes ■ 2007 USAF Almanac USAF Recipients of the Medal of Honor *Living Medal of Honor recipient Names and Rank at Time of Action Place of Birth Date of Action Place of Action World War I Bleckley, 2nd Lt. Erwin R. Wichita, Kan. Oct. 6, 1918 Binarville, France Goettler, 1st Lt. Harold E. Chicago Oct. 6, 1918 Binarville, France Luke, 2nd Lt. Frank Jr. Phoenix Sept. 29, 1918 Murvaux, France Rickenbacker, 1st Lt. Edward V. Columbus, Ohio Sept. 25, 1918 Billy, France World War II Baker, Lt. Col. Addison E. Chicago Aug. 1, 1943 Ploesti, Romania Bong, Maj. Richard I. Superior, Wis. Oct. 10-Nov. 15, 1944 Southwest Pacific Carswell, Maj. Horace S. Jr. Fort Worth, Tex. Oct. 26, 1944 South China Sea Castle, Brig. Gen. Frederick W. Manila, Philippines Dec. 24, 1944 Liège, Belgium Cheli, Maj. Ralph San Francisco Aug. 18, 1943 Wewak, New Guinea Craw, Col. Demas T. Traverse City, Mich. Nov. 8, 1942 Port Lyautey, French Morocco Doolittle, Lt. Col. James H. Alameda, Calif. April 18, 1942 Tokyo Erwin, SSgt. Henry E. Adamsville, Ala. April 12, 1945 Koriyama, Japan Femoyer, 2nd Lt. Robert E. Huntington, W.Va. Nov. 2, 1944 Merseburg, Germany Gott, 1st Lt. Donald J. Arnett, Okla. Nov. 9, 1944 Saarbrücken, Germany Hamilton, Maj. Pierpont M. Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Nov. 8, 1942 Port Lyautey, French Morocco Howard, Lt. Col. James H. Canton, China Jan. 11, 1944 Oschersleben, Germany Hughes, 2nd Lt. Lloyd H. Alexandria, La. Aug. 1, 1943 Ploesti, Romania Jerstad, Maj. John L. Racine, Wis. Aug. 1, 1943 Ploesti, Romania Johnson, Col.
    [Show full text]
  • SPRING 2014 - Volume 61, Number 1 the Air Force Historical Foundation Founded on May 27, 1953 by Gen Carl A
    SPRING 2014 - Volume 61, Number 1 WWW.AFHISTORICALFOUNDATION.ORG The Air Force Historical Foundation Founded on May 27, 1953 by Gen Carl A. “Tooey” Spaatz MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS and other air power pioneers, the Air Force Historical All members receive our exciting and informative Foundation (AFHF) is a nonprofi t tax exempt organization. Air Power History Journal, either electronically or It is dedicated to the preservation, perpetuation and on paper, covering: all aspects of aerospace history appropriate publication of the history and traditions of American aviation, with emphasis on the U.S. Air Force, its • Chronicles the great campaigns and predecessor organizations, and the men and women whose the great leaders lives and dreams were devoted to fl ight. The Foundation • Eyewitness accounts and historical articles serves all components of the United States Air Force— Active, Reserve and Air National Guard. • In depth resources to museums and activities, to keep members connected to the latest and AFHF strives to make available to the public and greatest events. today’s government planners and decision makers information that is relevant and informative about Preserve the legacy, stay connected: all aspects of air and space power. By doing so, the • Membership helps preserve the legacy of current Foundation hopes to assure the nation profi ts from past and future US air force personnel. experiences as it helps keep the U.S. Air Force the most modern and effective military force in the world. • Provides reliable and accurate accounts of historical events. The Foundation’s four primary activities include a quarterly journal Air Power History, a book program, a • Establish connections between generations.
    [Show full text]
  • Flak News October 2020
    603 602 601 600 398th BOMB GROUP MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION • 8th AIR FORCE • 1st AIR DIVISION • NUTHAMPSTEAD, ENGLAND VOL. 35 NO. 4 FLAK NEWS OCTOBER 2020 PROJECT RECOVER “Keeping America’s Promise To Bring Our MIAs Home” Pictured above to the left is Dr. Colin Colbourn, PH.D, Lead Historian for Project Recover. To the right is Colin’s Great Uncle st rd s “Buddy”, 1 Lt. Charles E. Howell, who was a pilot with the 603 SQ. 1 Lt. Howell and 6 of his crew were killed in action when enemy fighters shot down their B-17 on the November 21, 1944 mission to Merseburg, Germany. After college, Colin specialized in Military History. It was then, while he and a colleague were researching at the National Archives, he discovered the details of what had happened to his great-uncle on that fateful November day during WWII. This was a ‘find’ because his family seldom talked about their loss, which is so often the case. His personal experience of closure compelled Colin to want to help bring closure for other families, especially those families of MIA’s. So, in 2016 Colin began working as Lead Historian for Project Recover and now he is doing just that. Mellisa Ledlow’s excellent story about Dr. Colbourn and his work with Project Recover is on the following pages of this issue. FLAK NEWS – Vol. 35 No. 4 Page 1 Dr. Colin Colbourn and Project Recover By Mellisa Ledlow At the 2019 8th Air Force Reunion in St. Louis, a new, (though captured and taken prisoner).
    [Show full text]
  • P-47 Thunderbolt
    Airpower Classics Artwork by Zaur Eylanbekov P-47 Thunderbolt The P-47 Thunderbolt, known as the “Jug” and Weight and performance both went up over time. beloved by its pilots, was built to be an intercep- The 56th Fighter Group undertook development tor, but it became the dominant USAAF close air work as a unit. The P-47 initially was thought support fighter of World War II. The versatile to have poor climb and maneuverability, but it Republic Aviation combat aircraft featured heavy had great diving capability. Water injection, new armament and a phenomenally rugged structure, propellers, and other improvements increased all of which helped it wreak havoc on enemy its combat capability, and ever larger drop tanks forces—in the air or on the ground, in Europe or extended its bomber escort range. the Pacific. Although somewhat overshadowed in the public mind by the glamorous P-51 Mustang, The P-47 entered combat on April 8, 1943 in Eu- the P-47 had then and still has today a fanatically rope. Eventually, it saw action in every war theater. loyal following. When sufficient numbers of air combat Mustangs arrived in theater, the P-47s would specialize in The Jug was an outgrowth of years of aviation close air support. Jugs flew more than 546,000 work by aeronautical pioneer Alexander P. de combat sorties. They were credited with damag- Seversky. It was designed by a team led by Al- ing or destroying almost 12,000 enemy aircraft exander Kartveli, who built it around the potent in the air or on the ground, 9,000 locomotives, new Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine.
    [Show full text]
  • The Great Space Force Debate: a Way Forward from the Past?
    Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive DSpace Repository Theses and Dissertations 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items 2019-12 THE GREAT SPACE FORCE DEBATE: A WAY FORWARD FROM THE PAST? Johnson, Jordan M. Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/63989 Downloaded from NPS Archive: Calhoun Calhoun: The NPS Institutional Archive DSpace Repository Theses and Dissertations 1. Thesis and Dissertation Collection, all items 2019-12 PRESERVATION OF THE FORCE AND FAMILY AS A TOOL FOR TALENT MANAGEMENT Johnson, Nolan; Baker, Jonathan C. Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School http://hdl.handle.net/10945/63990 Downloaded from NPS Archive: Calhoun NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA THESIS THE GREAT SPACE FORCE DEBATE: A WAY FORWARD FROM THE PAST? by Jordan M. Johnson December 2019 Thesis Advisor: James C. Moltz Second Reader: Stephen H. Tackett Approved for public release. Distribution is unlimited. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK Form Approved OMB REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instruction, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 Jefferson Davis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188) Washington, DC 20503. 1. AGENCY USE ONLY 2. REPORT DATE 3.
    [Show full text]