SUMMER 2001 - Volume 48, Number 2 Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere: The 1st Air Commando Group in World War II William T. Y’Blood 4 Salvation from the Sky: Airlift in the Korean War, 1950 Daniel L. Haulman 16 Context and Theory: Lessons from Operation Allied Force Ellwood P. “Skip” Hinman 26 The Final Scene: Howard AFB, Republic of Panama Curtis L. Brownhill 34 “Keep ‘em Flying” Harry F. Dill 36 Air Force Historian Wins Silver Star George M. Watson, Jr. 38 Slanguage: Part III, Letters E-L Brian S. Gunderson 40 Departments: From the Editor 3 History Mystery 45 Book Reviews 46 Books Received 56 Coming Up 58 Letters, News, Notices, and Reunions 60 Upcoming Symposium 64 COVER: The B–2 Spirit, the USAF’s stealth bomber, sits ready for take-off. SUMMER 2001 - Volume 48, Number 2 SUMMER 2001 - Volume 48, Number 2 The logo on this page is sized for the front cover 8 pt for table of contents, 9 pt for cover The Air Force Historical Foundation Air Force Historical Foundation 1535 Command Drive – Suite A122 Andrews AFB, MD 20762-7002 (301) 981-2139 (301) 981-3574 Fax The Journal of Air and Space History (formerly Aerospace Historian) Summer 2001 Volume 48 Number 2 Officers Contributing Members President The individuals and companies listed are contributing Gen. William Y. Smith, USAF (Ret) members of the Air Force Historical Foundation. The Publisher Vice-President Foundation Trustees and members are grateful for their Brian S. Gunderson Gen. John A. Shaud, USAF (Ret) support and contributions to preserving, perpetuating, Secretary-Treasurer and publishing the history and traditions of American Editor Maj. Gen. John S. Patton, USAF (Ret) aviation. Jacob Neufeld Executive Director Col. Joseph A. 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Smith, USAF (Ret) The Mitre Corporation Dr. George K. Tanham Northrop Corporation Copyright © 2001 by the Air Force Col. Robert E. Vickers, Jr., USAF (Ret) Vinell Corporation MSgt. Charles J. Warth, USAF (Ret) Historical Foundation. All rights reserved. Col. George R. Weinbrenner, USAF (Ret) Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, VA Col. Sherman W. Wilkins, USAF (Ret) 24450 and additional mailing offices. Maj.Gen. Richard A. Yudkin, USAF (Ret) Postmaster: Please send change of address to the Circulation Office. FOUNDATION WEB HOMEPAGE: http://home.earthlink.net/~afhf E-Mail: [email protected] 2 AIR POWER History / SUMMER 2001 From the Editor In this issue’s lead article, William “Tom” Y’Blood tells the exciting story of the 1st Air Commandos in Burma during World War II. “Any Place, Any Time, Anywhere” details the roles of Orde Wingate, commander of the Chindits, and Phil Cochran and John Alison, the Americans “Hap” Arnold selected to lead the air commandos. In “Salvation from the Sky,” Daniel Haulman writes of the critical contributions made by Air Force airlifters in the first year of the Korean War. Dependable and indispensable, the airlifters braved the elements and enemy fire as they carried men and supplies both into and out of the war zone. In “Context and Theory,” Major “Skip” Hinman analyzes the “Lessons from Operation Allied Force.” He examines the traditional air power theories of Douhet, Mitchell, and Trenchard within the context of NATO’s air war over Yugoslavia. He concludes that the conflict between theory and context determined the outcome of the war. However, while Allied Force validated the air power theorists, it “demonstrated the superiority of context over theory.” On October 31, 1999, CMSgt. Curtis Brownhill furled the colors of the 24th Wing as the United States prepared to transfer Howard Air Force Base to the Republic of Panama. Readers will feel the emotions Brownhill felt as he participated in this historic ceremony. MSgt. Harry Dill, USAF (Ret.) informs Air Power History readers when, how, and why the slogan “Keep ‘em Flying” originated. Even today, sixty years later, it remains an effective motto. “Bob” Phillips is a former Air Force historian and a combat veteran of World War II and the Korean War. While he wrote official historical accounts, Phillips’s own heroism went unrecognized for fifty years. But no more. His friend and colleague, George Watson, reports that justice was done on February 13, 2001, when Phillips finally received the Silver Star. Brig. Gen. Brian Gunderson’s series on World War II Royal Air Force slang terms continues with the letters E through L. A dozen books are reviewed, ranging in subject matter from scholarly and analytical to fiction and entertainment. Twenty-five new books arrived—see pages 56 and 57. Prospective reviewers are invited to contact Michael Grumelli, our book review editor. The usual depart- ments include upcoming events, the History Mystery, letters, notices, news, and reunions. Readers should note especially the “Upcoming Symposium” notice and registration form on page 64. Save the dates October 17th and 18th, 2001, at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, for “Coalition Air Warfare in the Korean War.” Sign up now. As this issue went to press, James Parton, 88, a Supporter of the Air Force Historical Foundation, and author of “Air Force Spoken Here,” a biography of Gen. Ira C. Eaker, died of a heart attack on April 20, 2001, in White River Junction, Vermont. A more complete obitu- ary will be included in the Fall 2001 issue of this magazine. Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation disclaim responsibility for statements, either of fact or of opinion, made by contributors. The submission of an article, book review, or other communication with the intention that it be published in this journal shall be construed as prima facie evidence that the contributor willingly transfers the copyright to Air Power History and the Air Force Historical Foundation, which will, however, freely grant authors the right to reprint their own works, if published in the authors’ own works. In the case of articles, upon acceptance, the author will be sent an agreement and an assignment of copyright.