Needed, Decisive Airpower Leaders: General George C. Kenney: A Role Model
Abstract
Today's USAF is the best. However, the international situation is changing and the future is unclear. USAF force structure will be cut. The risk of a future mismatch between strategy and forces available appears to be growing; especially, if limited forces are required for crisis action in more than one theater simultaneously. The decisive leadership, or lack thereof, provided by future Air Component Commanders--in a resource limited world--may make the difference between victory and defeat. I am concerned USAF emphasis on operational level leader development is inadequate. USAF-wide study of airpower and air campaigns is limited. Leadership doctrine needs refinement and leadership development programs, higher priority. This paper describes what decisive operational level leadership is by focusing on General George C. Kenney and the significant challenges he faced in the Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA), during World War II. His leadership and mastery of operational art, demonstrate how decisive airpower leadership can turn a bad situation--defensive with inadequate resources--around and subsequently pound out victory. Kenney's background and preparation for operational command are compared to today's officers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA233394
Entities
People
- Steven A. Caine
Organizations
- United States Army War College