Air Force Narratives and American Public Opinion from 1917 to 2014

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Air Force Narratives and American Public Opinion from 1917 to 2014 C O R P O R A T I O N Proclaiming Airpower Air Force Narratives and American Public Opinion from 1917 to 2014 Alan J. Vick For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR1044 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-0-8330-9014-0 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2015 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions.html. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface The U.S. Department of Defense is entering a period of fiscal austerity that could last decades, which would be unprecedented in the past 70 years. In addition to its potential duration, the coming age of defense austerity also promises to be unusually challenging for the U.S. Air Force (USAF) because it is following a decade of wartime operational tempo and two decades in which relatively little modernization took place. The combination of high and continuing operational demands with a hiatus in modernization has greatly stressed the USAF as near- term readiness increasingly competes for funds with programs needed to meet future challenges. To address these and related policy issues, the USAF Quadren- nial Defense Review Office (HAF/CVAR) commissioned a RAND Project AIR FORCE Fiscal Year 2014 study. The sponsoring office was particularly interested in help with two problems: (1) measuring the benefits of high readiness levels across the USAF and (2) gain- ing deeper insights into the relationship between USAF narratives and public attitudes toward the service. To offer empirically based insights on those issues, the RAND study identified four questions for analy- sis: (1) What has been the historic demand for joint force and USAF responsiveness over the past 60 years? (2) What are the responsiveness demands associated with current U.S. strategy, operational plans, and planning scenarios? (3) What lessons can be learned from the New Look Era, when airpower was widely viewed as the cornerstone of U.S. national security? and (4) How have USAF public narratives and popu- lar attitudes toward airpower evolved over the past century? iii iv Proclaiming Airpower This report presents the findings from research directed at the final question. Other forthcoming reports address the other three ques- tions. The research described in this report was conducted within the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE. RAND Project AIR FORCE RAND Project AIR FORCE (PAF), a division of the RAND Corpo- ration, is the U.S. Air Force’s federally funded research and develop- ment center for studies and analyses. PAF provides the Air Force with independent analyses of policy alternatives affecting the development, employment, combat readiness, and support of current and future air, space, and cyber forces. Research is conducted in four programs: Force Modernization and Employment; Manpower, Personnel, and Train- ing; Resource Management; and Strategy and Doctrine. The research reported here was prepared under contract FA7014-06-C-0001. Additional information about PAF is available on our website: http://www.rand.org/paf. This report documents work originally shared with the U.S. Air Force in January 2014. The draft report, issued in December 2014, was reviewed by formal peer reviewers and U.S. Air Force subject-matter experts. Contents Preface ............................................................................. iii Figures and Table ................................................................vii Summary .......................................................................... xi Acknowledgments .............................................................. xix CHAPTER ONE Introduction ....................................................................... 1 Background ......................................................................... 1 The Policy Problem ................................................................ 5 Study Methodology ................................................................ 5 Purpose of This Document ....................................................... 5 Organization ........................................................................ 6 CHAPTER TWO The Social Currency of Aviation and Airpower ............................. 7 Introduction ........................................................................ 7 Aviation and the American Imagination ........................................ 8 Quantitative Measures of Social Currency .................................... 24 Conclusions ........................................................................31 CHAPTER THREE U.S. Air Force Public Narratives, 1917–2014 ...............................33 Introduction .......................................................................33 Narratives and Influence Pathways .............................................37 USAF Public Narratives, 1917–2014 ........................................... 42 Crafting a Compelling Narrative ...............................................83 v vi Proclaiming Airpower CHAPTER FOUR Public Attitudes Toward the U.S. Air Force, 1935–2014 ................ 87 1935–1940 ........................................................................ 88 1941–1945 ......................................................................... 90 1946–1990 ........................................................................ 92 1991–2003 ....................................................................... 104 2004–2014 ....................................................................... 116 Insights for the USAF .......................................................... 131 CHAPTER FIVE Conclusions ..................................................................... 133 Findings ......................................................................... 133 Recommendations .............................................................. 136 Final Thoughts .................................................................. 139 Abbreviations ................................................................... 141 Bibliography .................................................................... 143 Figures and Table Figures 2.1. Airmen on Time Magazine Covers, 1923–2014 ................ 26 2.2. Google Ngram Viewer Plot: Aviator and Airminded, 1900–2008 .......................................................... 27 2.3. Google Ngram Viewer Plot: Aviation and Air Power, 1910–2008 ........................................................... 28 2.4. Google Ngram Viewer Plot: Air Force, Airmen, USAF, Air Power, and Strategic Bombing, 1920–2008 ...................29 2.5. Google Ngram Viewer Plot: USAF Technologies, 1984–2008 .......................................................... 30 3.1. Airpower Books Authored by Prominent Airmen, 1918–2013 ........................................................... 42 4.1. Percentage of Respondents Supporting Expansion of Military Service Branches ...........................................89 4.2. U.S. Public Sees U.S. Airpower as Having First Claim on Resources .........................................................91 4.3. U.S. Public Support for Independent Air Force, 1942–1943 ........................................................... 92 4.4. “Which Enemy Military Service Is Most Dangerous to the United States?” .......................................................93 4.5. U.S. Public Opinion on “Most Important Branch of the Armed Forces” ...................................................... 94 4.6. U.S. Public Support for the Bombing of North Vietnam, 1965–1968 ........................................................... 98 4.7. “How Do You Think the United States Should Respond to the Terrorists Acts Attributed to Libya?” .................... 102 4.8. U.S. Public Support for the Eldorado Canyon Air Strikes .... 103 vii viii Proclaiming Airpower 4.9. “Should the United States and Its Allies Begin a Ground Attack Soon to Drive the Iraqis Out of Kuwait, or Should We Hold Off for Now and Continue to Rely on Airpower to Do the Job?” ..................................................... 106 4.10. “Just Your Best Guess, Do You Think the Air War Will Be Enough to Force Iraq Out of Kuwait, or Do You Think It Will Take a Ground War?” ............................ 107 4.11. Public Support for Air Strikes Against Serbian Forces, Balkans Conflict, 1992–1995 .................................... 110 4.12. “Which Branch of the Armed Services Do You Think Should Be
Recommended publications
  • Aerospace-America-April-2019.Pdf
    17–21 JUNE 2019 DALLAS, TX SHAPING THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT The 2019 AIAA AVIATION Forum will explore how rapidly changing technology, new entrants, and emerging trends are shaping a future of flight that promises to be strikingly different from the modern global transportation built by our pioneers. Help shape the future of flight at the AIAA AVIATION Forum! PLENARY & FORUM 360 SESSIONS Hear from industry leaders and innovators including Christopher Emerson, President and Head, North America Region, Airbus Helicopters, and Greg Hyslop, Chief Technology Officer, The Boeing Company. Keynote speakers and panelists will discuss vertical lift, autonomy, hypersonics, and more. TECHNICAL PROGRAM More than 1,100 papers will be presented, giving you access to the latest research and development on technical areas including applied aerodynamics, fluid dynamics, and air traffic operations. NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES The forum offers daily networking opportunities to connect with over 2,500 attendees from across the globe representing hundreds of government, academic, and private institutions. Opportunities to connect include: › ADS Banquet (NEW) › AVIATION 101 (NEW) › Backyard BBQ (NEW) › Exposition Hall › Ignite the “Meet”ing (NEW) › Meet the Employers Recruiting Event › Opening Reception › Student Welcome Reception › The HUB Register now aviation.aiaa.org/register FEATURES | APRIL 2019 MORE AT aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org The U.S. Army’s Kestrel Eye prototype cubesat after being released from the International Space Station. NASA 18 30 40 22 3D-printing solid Seeing the far Managing Getting out front on rocket fuel side of the moon drone traffi c Researchers China’s Chang’e-4 Package delivery alone space technology say additive “opens up a new could put thousands manufacturing is scientifi c frontier.” of drones into the sky, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • JCLD Fall 2020
    )$// 92/80(_,668( (GLWRULQ&KLHI 'U'RXJODV/LQGVD\/W&RO 5HW 86$) &(17(5)25&+$5$&7(5 /($'(56+,3'(9(/230(17 EDITORIAL STAFF: EDITORIAL BOARD: Center for Creative Leadership Dr. Douglas Lindsay, Lt Col (Ret), USAF Dr. David Altman, Editor in Chief Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, University of Missouri- St. Louis Dr. John Abbatiello, Col (Ret), USAF Book Review Editor Dr. Dana Born, Harvard University (Brig Gen, USAF, Retired) Dr. Stephen Randolph Dr. David Day, Claremont McKenna College Profiles in Leadership Editor Dr. Shannon French, Case Western Julie Imada Associate Editor & CCLD Strategic Dr. William Gardner, Texas Tech University Communications Chief Mr. Chad Hennings, Hennings Management Corp JCLD is published at the United States Air Mr. Max James, American Kiosk Management Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colorado. Articles in JCLD may be reproduced in whole Dr. Barbara Kellerman, Harvard University or in part without permission. A standard Dr. Robert Kelley, Carnegie Mellon University source credit line is required for each reprint or citation. Dr. Richard M. Lerner, Tufts University For information about the Journal of Character Ms. Cathy McClain, Association of Graduates and Leadership Development or the U.S. Air (Colonel, USAF, Retired) Force Academy’s Center for Character and Dr. Michael Mumford, University of Oklahoma Leadership Development or to be added to the Journal’s electronic subscription list, contact Dr. Gary Packard, University of Arizona (Brig Gen, us at: [email protected] USAF, Retired) Phone: 719-333-4904 Dr. George Reed, University of Colorado at The Journal of Character & Leadership Colorado Springs (Colonel, USA, Retired) Development The Center for Character & Leadership Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Air & Space Power Journal
    July–August 2013 Volume 27, No. 4 AFRP 10-1 Senior Leader Perspective The Air Advisor ❙ 4 The Face of US Air Force Engagement Maj Gen Timothy M. Zadalis, USAF Features The Swarm, the Cloud, and the Importance of Getting There First ❙ 14 What’s at Stake in the Remote Aviation Culture Debate Maj David J. Blair, USAF Capt Nick Helms, USAF The Next Lightweight Fighter ❙ 39 Not Your Grandfather’s Combat Aircraft Col Michael W. Pietrucha, USAF Building Partnership Capacity by Using MQ-9s in the Asia-Pacific ❙ 59 Col Andrew A. Torelli, USAF Personnel Security during Joint Operations with Foreign Military Forces ❙ 79 David C. Aykens Departments 101 ❙ Views The Glass Ceiling for Remotely Piloted Aircraft ❙ 101 Lt Col Lawrence Spinetta, PhD, USAF Funding Cyberspace: The Case for an Air Force Venture Capital Initiative ❙ 119 Maj Chadwick M. Steipp, USAF Strategic Distraction: The Consequence of Neglecting Organizational Design ❙ 129 Col John F. Price Jr., USAF 140 ❙ Book Reviews Master of the Air: William Tunner and the Success of Military Airlift . 140 Robert A. Slayton Reviewer: Frank Kalesnik, PhD Selling Air Power: Military Aviation and American Popular Culture after World War II . 142 Steve Call Reviewer: Scott D. Murdock From Lexington to Baghdad and Beyond: War and Politics in the American Experience, 3rd ed . 144 Donald M. Snow and Dennis M. Drew Reviewer: Capt Chris Sanders, USAF Beer, Bacon, and Bullets: Culture in Coalition Warfare from Gallipoli to Iraq . 147 Gal Luft Reviewer: Col Chad T. Manske, USAF Global Air Power . 149 John Andreas Olsen, editor Reviewer: Lt Col P.
    [Show full text]
  • The Air Force and the Cold
    THE AIR FORCE A N D T H E COLD WA R A P I C T O R I A L H I S T O RY COVER AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION The Air Force and the Cold War 1 The Air Force Association THE AIR FORCE The Air Force Association (AFA) is an independent, nonprofit civilian organization A N D T H E promoting public understanding of aerospace power and the pivotal role it plays in the se- curity of the nation. AFA publishes Air Force Magazine, sponsors national symposia, and disseminates information through outreach programs of its affiliate, the Aerospace Educa- tion Foundation. Learn more about AFA by visiting us on the Web at www.afa.org. COLD WA R The Aerospace Education Foundation The Aerospace Education Foundation (AEF) is dedicated to ensuring America’s aerospace excellence through education, schol- arships, grants, awards, and public awareness programs. The foundation also publishes a series of studies and forums on aerospace and national security. The Eaker Institute is the public policy and research arm of AEF. AEF works through a network of thousands of Air Force Association members and more than 200 chapters to distribute educational material to schools and concerned citizens. An example of this includes “Visions of Exploration,” an AEF/USA Today multidis- ciplinary science, math, and social studies program. To find out how you can support aerospace excellence, visit us on the Web at www.aef.org. © 2005 The Air Force Association Published by Aerospace Education Foundation 1501 Lee Highway Arlington VA 22209-1198 Tel: (703) 247-5839 Produced by the staff of Air Force Magazine Fax: (703) 247-5853 Design by Darcy Harris THE AIR FORCE A N D T H E COLD WA R A P I C T O R I A L H I S T O RY AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION DECEMBER 2005 By John T.
    [Show full text]
  • Cradle of Airpower Education
    Cradle of Airpower Education Maxwell Air Force Base Centennial April 1918 – April 2018 A Short History of The Air University, Maxwell AFB, and the 42nd Air Base Wing Air University Directorate of History March 2019 1 2 Cradle of Airpower Education A Short History of The Air University, Maxwell AFB, and 42nd Air Base Wing THE INTELLECTUAL AND LEADERSHIP- DEVELOPMENT CENTER OF THE US AIR FORCE Air University Directorate of History Table of Contents Origins and Early Development 3 The Air Corps Tactical School Period 3 Maxwell Field during World War II 4 Early Years of Air University 6 Air University during the Vietnam War 7 Air University after the Vietnam War 7 Air University in the Post-Cold War Era 8 Chronology of Key Events 11 Air University Commanders and Presidents 16 Maxwell Post/Base Commanders 17 Lineage and Honors: Air University 20 Lineage and Honors: 42nd Bombardment Wing 21 “Be the intellectual and leadership-development center of the Air Force Develop leaders, enrich minds, advance airpower, build relationships, and inspire service.” 3 Origins and Early Development The history of Maxwell Air Force Base began with Orville and Wilbur Wright, who, following their 1903 historic flight, decided in early 1910 to open a flying school to teach people how to fly and to promote the sale of their airplane. After looking at locations in Florida, Wilbur came to Montgomery, Alabama in February 1910 and decided to open the nation’s first civilian flying school on an old cotton plantation near Montgomery that subsequently become Maxwell Air Force Base (AFB).
    [Show full text]
  • B-25 Mitchell
    Airpower Classics Artwork by Zaur Eylanbekov B-25 Mitchell On April 18, 1942, Army Air Forces Lt. Col. James “Pappy” Gunn’s fabled 75 mm cannon. The Mitchell H. “Jimmy” Doolittle, leading a force of 16 B-25B was never the fastest, most maneuverable, or medium bombers and crews, took off from the best-looking medium bomber. However, it grew to aircraft carrier USS Hornet and bombed Tokyo be the most heavily armed and was more versatile and other targets. It was the first time US aircraft than any—even the German Junkers Ju 88. had struck at Japan, and the raid immortalized both Doolittle and the B-25 Mitchell. The North Noted for its excellent handling characteristics, the American Aviation bomber went on to become a B-25 performed remarkably well in many roles, workhorse in every theater of World War II. including medium- and low-altitude bomber, close air support, photo reconnaissance, anti- North American proposed the new Model NA-62, submarine warfare, patrol, and—when occasion derived from a series of earlier prototypes, in a demanded—tactical fighter. Later it was used as 1939 competition. The Army bought it right off a pilot and navigator trainer, and became much the drawing board, ordering 184 of the airplanes. beloved in that role. In peacetime, it served as an The clean, lean lines of the B-25 delivered good executive transport, firefighter, camera airplane, performance and facilitated both mass produc- test vehicle, and crop duster. The last B-25 train- tion and maintenance. Built in 10 major models, ers remained in service at Reese AFB, Tex., until with numerous variants, the B-25 was particularly finally retiring in January 1959—nearly 17 years adaptable to field modifications.
    [Show full text]
  • The Aeronautical Division, US Signal Corps By
    The First Air Force: The Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps By: Hannah Chan, FAA history intern The United States first used aviation warfare during the Civil War with the Union Army Balloon Corps (see Civil War Ballooning: The First U.S. War Fought on Land, at Sea, and in the Air). The lighter-than-air balloons helped to gather intelligence and accurately aim artillery. The Army dissolved the Balloon Corps in 1863, but it established a balloon section within the U.S. Signal Corps, the Army’s communication branch, during the Spanish-American War in 1892. This section contained only one balloon, but it successfully made several flights and even went to Cuba. However, the Army dissolved the section after the war in 1898, allowing the possibility of military aeronautics advancement to fade into the background. The Wright brothers' successful 1903 flight at Kitty Hawk was a catalyst for aviation innovation. Aviation pioneers, such as the Wright Brothers and Glenn Curtiss, began to build heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation accomplishments with the dirigible and planes, as well as communication innovations, caused U.S. Army Brigadier General James Allen, Chief Signal Officer of the Army, to create an Aeronautical Division on August 1, 1907. The A Signal Corps Balloon at the Aeronautics Division division was to “have charge of all matters Balloon Shed at Fort Myer, VA Photo: San Diego Air and Space Museum pertaining to military ballooning, air machines, and all kindred subjects.” At its creation, the division consisted of three people: Captain (Capt.) Charles deForest Chandler, head of the division, Corporal (Cpl.) Edward Ward, and First-class Private (Pfc.) Joseph E.
    [Show full text]
  • The Combat Cloud Enabling Multidomain Command and Control Across the Range of Military Operations
    Air University Steven L. Kwast, Lieutenant General, Commander and President Air Command and Staff College Brian E. Hastings, Colonel, Commandant James W. Forsyth, PhD, Dean of Academic Affairs Bart R. Kessler, PhD, Dean of Distance Learning Paul J. Springer, PhD, Director of Research Leon J. Perkowski, Colonel, PhD, Essay Advisor Selection Committee Sean Atkins, Major Amy R. Baxter, PhD Ann Mezzell, PhD John Minney, PhD John Terino, PhD Jonathan Zartman, PhD, Committee Chair Please send inquiries or comments to Editor The Wright Flyer Papers Department of Research and Publications (ACSC/DER) Air Command and Staff College 225 Chennault Circle, Bldg. 1402 Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6426 Tel: (334) 953-3558 Fax: (334) 953-2269 E-mail: [email protected] AIR UNIVERSITY AIR COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE The Combat Cloud Enabling Multidomain Command and Control across the Range of Military Operations Jacob Hess, Major, USAF Aaron Kiser, Major, USAF El Mostafa Bouhafa, Major, Royal Moroccan Air Force Shawn Williams, Defense Intelligence Agency Wright Flyer Paper No. 65 Air University Press Curtis E. LeMay Center for Doctrine Development and Education Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama Project Editor Accepted by Air University Press March 2017 Jeanne K. Shamburger and published February 2019 Copy Editor Carolyn Broadnax Cover Art, Book Design, and Illustrations Daniel Armstrong Composition and Prepress Production Jeanne K. Shamburger AIR UNIVERSITY PRESS Director and Publisher Disclaimer Lt Col Darin Gregg Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author and do not necessar- Air University Press ily represent the views of the Air University Press, LeMay Center, 600 Chennault Circle, Building 1405 Air University, United States Air Force, Department of Defense, Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-6026 or any other US government agency.
    [Show full text]
  • General Files Series, 1932-75
    GENERAL FILE SERIES Table of Contents Subseries Box Numbers Subseries Box Numbers Annual Files Annual Files 1933-36 1-3 1957 82-91 1937 3-4 1958 91-100 1938 4-5 1959 100-110 1939 5-7 1960 110-120 1940 7-9 1961 120-130 1941 9-10 1962 130-140 1942-43 10 1963 140-150 1946 10 1964 150-160 1947 11 1965 160-168 1948 11-12 1966 168-175 1949 13-23 1967 176-185 1950-53 24-53 Social File 186-201 1954 54-63 Subject File 202-238 1955 64-76 Foreign File 239-255 1956 76-82 Special File 255-263 JACQUELINE COCHRAN PAPERS GENERAL FILES SERIES CONTAINER LIST Box No. Contents Subseries I: Annual Files Sub-subseries 1: 1933-36 Files 1 Correspondence (Misc. planes) (1)(2) [Miscellaneous Correspondence 1933-36] [memo re JC’s crash at Indianapolis] [Financial Records 1934-35] (1)-(10) [maintenance of JC’s airplanes; arrangements for London - Melbourne race] Granville, Miller & DeLackner 1934 (1)-(7) 2 Granville, Miller & DeLackner 1935 (1)(2) Edmund Jakobi 1934 Re: G.B. Plane Return from England Just, G.W. 1934 Leonard, Royal (Harlan Hull) 1934 London Flight - General (1)-(12) London - Melbourne Air Race 1934 Cables General (1)-(5) [cable file of Royal Leonard, FBO’s London agent, re preparations for race] 3 London - Melbourne Air Race 1934 Cables Fueling Arrangements London - Melbourne Air Race 1934 Cables Hangar Arrangements London - Melbourne Air Race 1934 Cables Insurance [London - Melbourne Flight Instructions] (1)(2) McLeod, Fred B. [Fred McLeod Correspondence July - August 1934] (1)-(3) Joseph B.
    [Show full text]
  • Seventy-Five Years Of
    75 Years of Action: August 1956 Highlights of AFA’s Storied History The Air Force Association has played a crucial role in support of the U.S. Air Force for 75 years—longer, in fact, than the Air Force has existed as an independent military branch. Today, AFA remains dedicated to its mission to Educate, Advocate, and Support the Air Force, its Airmen, and their families—and to do the same for the new U.S. Space Force, which celebrated its first anniversary in December. September 1951 The Outstanding Airmen of the Here are highlights of AFA’s most notable achievements in The first “USAF Almanac” Year program is born at the Air its first 75 years. appears as the “Anniversary Force Association’s 10th Annual Issue” of Air Force Magazine. National Convention, held in New Orleans. Feb. 4, 1946 AFA is incorporated May in Washington, D.C. Gen. Jimmy 1956 Doolittle is The Air Force elected AFA’s Association first president. Foundation (later renamed the Aerospace Education April 1959 Foundation) is formally AFA’s hosts the World Congress of Flight in Las established. Vegas. It is the first international air show in U.S. history. Some 51 foreign nations participated. Sept. 18, 1947 The United States Air Force is made an March 1967 The Aerospace Education independent military service, as a part of Foundation undertakes “Project Utah” in cooperation with the National Security Act of 1947. the U.S. Office of Education, demonstrating the feasibility of using Air Force technical training July 1946 courses in the Utah public school 1948 system.
    [Show full text]
  • Cincinnati's Doolittle Raider at War
    Queen City Heritage Thomas C. Griffin, a resident of Cincinnati for over forty years, participated in the first bombing raid on Japan in World War II, the now leg- endary Doolittle raid. (CHS Photograph Collection) Winter 1992 Navigating from Shangri-La Navigating from Shangri- La: Cincinnati's Doolittle Raider at War Kevin C. McHugh served as Cincinnati's oral historian for "one of America's biggest gambles"5 of World War II, the now legendary Doolittle Raid on Japan. A soft-spoken man, Mr. Griffin Over a half century ago on April 18, 1942, characteristically downplays his part in the first bombing the Cincinnati Enquirer reported: "Washington, April 18 raid on Japan: "[It] just caught the fancy of the American — (AP) — The War and Navy Departments had no confir- people. A lot of people had a lot worse assignments."6 mation immediately on the Japanese announcement of the Nevertheless, he has shared his wartime experiences with bombing of Tokyo."1 Questions had been raised when Cincinnati and the country, both in speaking engagements Tokyo radio, monitored by UPI in San Francisco, had sud- and in print. In 1962 to celebrate the twentieth anniversary denly gone off the air and then had interrupted program- of the historic mission, the Cincinnati Enquirer highlight- ming for a news "flash": ed Mr. Griffin's recollections in an article that began, Enemy bombers appeared over Tokyo for the "Bomber Strike from Carrier Recalled."7 For the fiftieth first time since the outbreak of the current war of Greater anniversary in 1992, the Cincinnati Post shared his adven- East Asia.
    [Show full text]
  • Air Base Defense Rethinking Army and Air Force Roles and Functions for More Information on This Publication, Visit
    C O R P O R A T I O N ALAN J. VICK, SEAN M. ZEIGLER, JULIA BRACKUP, JOHN SPEED MEYERS Air Base Defense Rethinking Army and Air Force Roles and Functions For more information on this publication, visit www.rand.org/t/RR4368 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available for this publication. ISBN: 978-1-9774-0500-5 Published by the RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, Calif. © Copyright 2020 RAND Corporation R® is a registered trademark. Limited Print and Electronic Distribution Rights This document and trademark(s) contained herein are protected by law. This representation of RAND intellectual property is provided for noncommercial use only. Unauthorized posting of this publication online is prohibited. Permission is given to duplicate this document for personal use only, as long as it is unaltered and complete. Permission is required from RAND to reproduce, or reuse in another form, any of its research documents for commercial use. For information on reprint and linking permissions, please visit www.rand.org/pubs/permissions. The RAND Corporation is a research organization that develops solutions to public policy challenges to help make communities throughout the world safer and more secure, healthier and more prosperous. RAND is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and committed to the public interest. RAND’s publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. Support RAND Make a tax-deductible charitable contribution at www.rand.org/giving/contribute www.rand.org Preface The growing cruise and ballistic missile threat to U.S. Air Force bases in Europe has led Headquarters U.S.
    [Show full text]