Air University Review: May-June 1976, Vol XXVII, No.4
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A I R U N I VE R S ITY review MAY-JUNE 1976 The Professional Journal of the United States Air Force from the editor's aerie Lieutenant General John W. Pauly's "Thread of Doctrine" constitutes what we believe to be a solid platform for continuing dialogue on Air Force doctrine. As an offspring of the twentieth century and its technological revolution, the Air Force has faced a formidable challenge in developing doctrine and tactics to keep pace with the quantum leaps in hardware capability. We mean for Air University Review to contribute to this process by providing a forum where conflicting ideas may help refine and sharpen evolving doctrine. Our cover graphically reflects General Pauly's ". yesterday's lessons learned, applied to tomorrow's expectations." In an article both profound and whimsical, Hoyt W. Huggins speculates on the present and future role of computers in the conduct of human affairs. Anyone concerned with the impact of computers in the manage- ment process will find that Huggins offers some stimulating—even offbeat -insights. Among letters that cross the Editor's desk from time to time are those inquiring if the Review would be interested in book reviews or articles from sources outside the Air Force. The answer is an emphatic yes. Al- though the majority of our contributors have traditionally been active duty or retired Air Force personnel, we have always welcomed articles from anyone who has something significant to say. Aspiring authors need not feel that their opinions must conform to what they perceive to be the offi- cial policy of the Air Force. We welcome differing points of view so long as they are well supported. Potential book reviewers interested in receiving a book for review should drop us a card or letter indicating their area of competence. De- spite the fact that we have regular reliable reviewers, we always welcome new talent and fresh points of view. Since our authors often express pleasant surprise when they receive a check for their articles, perhaps it is worth mentioning again that we do offer modest sums for articles accepted for publication. The only exception applies to Air Force or other federal personnel whose articles were written during normal duty hours. At the end of February the Review lost one of its most capable and dedicated staff members and the Air Force an employee of long-standing tenure. M iss Genie Cory, Copy Editor for the Review since the Quarterly Review days back in 1957, started her federal employment in 1927, the year in which Charles Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis solo across the At- lantic. Her 48 years and four months' continuous federal service establishes a record in Air University not likely to be broken. Miss Cory's painstaking care to detail and her wealth of Air Force experience will be greatly missed, but we delight in her accepting a retirement so richly deserved. Ave atque vale. AIR U N I VE R S ITY May-June 19 76 Vol. XXVII No. 4 Preview From the Editor’s Aer ie............................................................................................ Facing Page The Thread of Doctrine..........................................................................................................................2 Lt. Gen. John W. Pauly, USAF Instructional Technol ogy in the Depar t ment of Defen se, Now and in the Future..................................................................................... Dr. M. Richard Rose Computers Alive? .....................................................................................................................................24 Hoyt W. Huggins Communication: T he Key Element to Prisoner of War Survival..................................... 33 Lt. Col. Bobby D. W'agnon, USAF Air Force Review Assessin g the Assessmen t Cen t er : New Dimen sio n s in Lea der sh ip...........................47 Maj. Peter Henderson, USAF Do More with Less..................................................................... Maj. D. K. Crooch, USAF In My Opinion The USAF Instrument Flight Cen t er : Anachronism or Instrument Flight Pa c eset t er for the Future? .............................................................. 62 Maj. Jimmie L. Coombes, USAF The People Mix .................................................................................................................................72 Maj. James M. Alford, USAF Books and Ideas Truth in Jeopardy ..............................................................................................................................75 Col. Don Clelland, USAF Soviet Mil it a r y Theory in English: T he Language Barrier Hurdl ed .............................................................................................. 78 Dr. Kenneth R. Whiting Something New under the Sun...................................................................................................... 86 Lt. Col. David R. Mets, USAF Books Rec eived................................................................................................................................... 92 The Contributors.........................................................................................................................................95 ATTENTION The Air University Review is the professional journal of the United States Air Force and serves as an open forum for exploratory discussion. Its purpose is to present innovative thinking and stimulate dialogue concerning Air Force doctrine, strategy, tactics, and related national defense matters. The Review should not be construed as representing policies of the Department of Defense, the Air Force, or Air Uni versity. Rather, the contents reflect the authors' ideas and do not necessarily bear official sanction. Thoughtful and informed contributions are always welcomed. THE THREAD OF DOCTRINE L ieu t en a n t Gener a l John W. Pauly doctrine—Fundamental principles by which the act of one man hitting another man the military forces or elements thereof guide was the genesis of man’s combat experi- their actions in support o f national objectives. ence from which military doctrine evolved, It is authoritative but requires judgnient in albeit in its most rudimentary form. To- application. day’s doctrine is the product of combat experience in the form of yesterday’s les- JCS Pub. 1, Department of Defense Dictionary of Military sons learned, applied to tomorrow’s ex- and Associated Terms pectations. Doctrine, therefore, is the discipline that is applied to bring about Aerospace doctrine is an authoritative state- a reasoned adjustment to the dynamics ment of principles for the employment o f of modern aerospace warfare and pro- United States Air Force resources. It is based on mote the rational employment of modem an accumulation o f knowledge gained through aerospace forces. Warfare has winners military experience, study and test. It is de- and losers. More often than not, winners signed for continuing applicability in war have successfully applied certain time- and peace. proven principles in the employment of AF\1 1 - 1 , United States Air their forces. Such principles and their Force Basic Doctrine application are the substance of the disci- pline of doctrine. We can reasonably con- clude, then, that in the future, as in the HE essence of doctrine lies in its past, our success or failure in war will purpose: to teach, to endow a body rest to a large degree on our doctrine of people with a common set of and how we apply it. T broad assumptions, ideas, values, and atti-This article will trace the evolution of tudes as a guide to future actions. Rather doctrine, more specifically basic doctrine, than a one-time revelation from on high as it applies to the United States Air Force, to be taken as dogma, doctrine is the and in doing so will answer the questions: product of a continuing effort to join (1) How did it come to be this way? and theory and practice—one of the most (2) Was it through logic and careful analy- difficult of all enterprises. Theory, without sis of experience? (3) What has been the the leavening of experience, lacks sub- influence of the Air Force-wide coordina- stance and foundation; experience without tion process? and (4) What ideas have theory lacks an adequate frame of reference prevailed? In reviewing the history of to accommodate future changes that will basic military doctrine for answers to surely come. Meaningful Air Force doc- these questions, we are led to the conclu- trine, suitable for all the complexities sion that the ultimate product is a care- and forms of modem aerospace warfare, fully and thoughtfully derived statement is the synthesis of theory and experience. of well-established and proven employment In this context, the human equation principles, which also reflects adjustments plays a fundamental role. For example, to changing national security policy and 3 4 AIR UNIVERSITY REVIEW strategy. Tracking these principles in Air War Department Training Regulation No. Force basic doctrine, we will find that 440-15, “Employment of the Air Forces of there is a consistency or “thread” of doc- the Army” (1935) trine that has stood the test of combat, WDFM 1-5, “Employment of the Aviation the evolution of Air Force thinking, and of the Army” (1940) the dynamic aspects of doctrine develop- AWPD-1, “Munitions Requirements of the Army Air Forces” (1941) ment. FM 31-35, “Aviation in Support of Ground Let’s begin by tracing the evolution of Forces” (1942) basic doctrine from its roots in the minds WDFM 100-20, “Command and Employ- of