Letters [email protected] www.airforce-magazine.com Publisher Michael M. Dunn Editor in Chief Robert S. Dudney Editorial [email protected] Editor Suzann Chapman Executive Editors Adam J. Hebert, John A. Tirpak Air Supremacy in a Downdraft becomes inevitably better at fighting Senior Editor I must point out an error in your COIN, more conventional foes will Michael C. Sirak recent editorial, “Air Supremacy in seek advantages in traditional forms a Downdraft” [December, p. 2]. You of military power. We must be ready. Associate Editors state that there have been no fatal air This is not “next-war-itis”; it is simply Tamar A. Mehuron attacks on US ground forces for over an understanding of the phenomenon Marc V. Schanz 56 years. I believe that is wrong; on of war and human nature (an area Feb. 25, 1991, an Iraqi Scud missile airmen can certainly improve in). By killed some 28 service men and women increasing our credibility in the broader Contributing Editors sleeping in their barracks in Dhahran, context of the current national security Walter J. Boyne, Bruce D. Callander, Saudi Arabia. Is that what you call debate, we can show our leadership John T. Correll, Rebecca Grant, total, unquestioned, and suffocating that we are not unreasonably clinging Peter Grier, Tom Philpott air dominance provided by USAF for to past paradigms, but are rationally 56 years? assessing all the available data and Production [email protected] Lt. Col. Tim Trusk, historical facts to form a coherent, Managing Editor USAF (Ret.) achievable way ahead. I think in the Juliette Kelsey Chagnon Kansas City, Mo. end, we’ll prove that reports on the death of air dominance are greatly Losing the War of Ideas exaggerated. Assistant Managing Editor Has anyone wondered why the Air Lt. Col. Geoffrey F. Weiss, Frances McKenney Force has not been winning the war USAF Editorial Associate of ideas with respect to recapital- Edmond, Okla. June Lee izing our fighter forces? [“Losing Air Dominance,” December, p. 24.] Some Focused Lethality Senior Designer airpower advocates blame “foolish” I found “Focused Lethality” a fas- Heather Lewis policies by our civilian leadership. I cinating update [December, p. 36]. Designer submit that we, the Air Force and advo- [There is a] minor error: On p. 37, you Darcy N. Harris cates of airpower, have not presented say “GPS-guided 250-pound warhead.” credible arguments, given political, I think you mean a 250-pound bomb Photo Editor economic, and threat realities of the with a 60-pound warhead. [Regarding Zaur Eylanbekov past decade plus. the] second increment of the SDB [and Our credibility will rise when we its] ability to hit moving targets at 46 Production Manager acknowledge that “air dominance” miles: Wow! Eric Chang Lee extends beyond the F-22 issue and beyond major theater war with a near Media Research Editor peer. Let’s get a seat at the table and Chequita Wood publicize all the things that airpower IS doing and CAN do in the small Do you have a comment about a Advertising [email protected] wars arena. This is not a zero-sum current article in the magazine? game—American airpower can and Write to “Letters,” Air Force Mag- Director of Advertising will succeed across the spectrum of azine, 1501 Lee Highway, Ar- William Turner conflict, due to its flexibility. Pushing lington, VA 22209-1198. (E-mail: 1501 Lee Highway for capitalization in the realm of per- [email protected].) Letters should Arlington, Va. 22209-1198 missive air environments to maximize be concise and timely. We cannot Tel: 703/247-5820 effectiveness in COIN and irregular war acknowledge receipt of letters. Telefax: 703/247-5855 will pay dividends on the ground and We reserve the right to condense in the halls of political power. letters. Letters without name and Traditionalists fear not—airmen will city/base and state are not accept- need to articulate better the histori- able. Photographs cannot be used or returned.—THE EDITORS Circulation audited by cal fact that the character of war is Business Publication Audit cyclical as adversaries probe each other for weaknesses. As the US 4 AIR FORCE Magazine / February 2009 “Planners also are pursuing the idea northern California and handed my of weapons that can carry out air-to-air very own airplane, a “beaver tail” C- and air-to-ground functions”? Please, 119J. I was in heaven, and the next this sounds like another F-111 which two years were some of the most tries to do everything. The differences satisfying of my career. Air Force Association between an AIM-120, which has to After a distinguished assignment 1501 Lee Highway • Arlington, VA 22209-1198 track another aircraft, and an SDB that snatching satellites out of the air with has to penetrate a target are just too Project Corona, our nine aircraft had Telephone: (703) 247-5800 great. Let’s avoid spending money on endured the humiliation of a sentence Toll-free: (800) 727-3337 this concept. to the boneyard (excuse me, AMARC). Press 1 if you know your party’s extension. William Thayer After getting a reprieve by Air Defense Press 3 for Member Services. San Diego Command, “045” was pretty shabby, and I spent a lot of time trying to make (For questions about membership, insurance, change of address or other data changes, Rex Remembrances her look better. I ordered a case of magazine delivery problems, or member It’s always fun to read John Correll’s spray paint and, a little at a time, I benefit programs, select the “Member articles, like the one on the B-17 carefully repainted the entire flight Services” option.) intercept of the Italian liner Rex 70 station AF blue. Or stay on the line for an operator to direct years ago [“Rendezvous with the Whenever the plane was scheduled your call. Rex,” December, p. 54]. In these days to fly, I made sure it was as spotless of political corruption, obscene CEO as possible, and I quickly discovered Fax: (703) 247-5853 ripoffs, and the chase of the almighty that the flight crews responded with dollar, I am reminded how much we less maintenance discrepancies. In Internet: http://www.afa.org/ owe to our military: Air Force, Navy, fact, they once flew it on a week-long and Army. They have always put their trip to the East Coast and back with country first. Giants like LeMay and zero write-ups! Forty years ago, that E-Mail Addresses Eaker set an example our leaders, was a really big deal, and it taught me enlisted and commissioned, keep something that realtors have known for Field Services .........................fl[email protected] going today. years: Make a good first impression. Bill Lehmann MSgt. Stephen L. Childers, Government Relations .................. [email protected] Port Aransas, Tex. USAF (Ret.) Industry Relations .......................... [email protected] Wyoming, Del. The excellent article “Rendezvous Events .................................... [email protected] with the Rex fails to mention the part Member Services .................. [email protected] played by the Army Air Forces on the sinking of that vessel on Sept. 7, Policy & Communications (news media) ......... [email protected] 1944. Two flights of Mustang fighters from Fifteenth Air Force escorted the British Beaufighters and strafed Rex Magazine before the rocket-bearing Beaufighters attacked. The fighters were assigned Advertising .................................. [email protected] to the 52nd Fighter Group, and were AFA National Report ............... [email protected] led by Maj. James Tyler, commander of the 4th Fighter Squadron. Editorial Offices [email protected] Col. Thomas L. Thacker, Letters to Editor [email protected] USAF (Ret.) Fairborn, Ohio Parr Belonged There In your November 2008 article Air Force Memorial Foundation [email protected] “Airpower Classics” on the F-86 Sa- bre [p. 88], under the Famous Fliers section, I believe there should be at For individual staff members least one more name added to the list. first initial, last name, @afa.org Col. Ralph Parr should be listed under (example: [email protected]) the Air Force Cross (he also holds the Distinguished Service Cross), and the Aces. The Randolph AFB, Tex., Officers AFA’s Mission Club was recently named for him and is now The Parr Club, and the San To educate the public about the critical role Antonio Pack of the Red River Valley of aerospace power in the defense of our Fighter Pilots Association renamed nation. our pack The Ralph Parr Pack. Col. Tom Moe, To advocate aerospace power and a strong national defense. USAF (Ret.) Universal City, Tex. To support the United States Air Force and the Air Force family and aerospace Thanks for bringing back some fond education. memories of the old “Dollar Nineteen.” In 1967, as a young buck sergeant, I was assigned to Hamilton Field in AIR FORCE Magazine / February 2009 5.