FY92 Air Force Posture Statement
Abstract
At the time this statement was drafted, U.S. forces, in conjunction with forces from allied nations, were engaged in combat in Operation Desert Storm. Although that campaign is still unfolding, the events of the past few months have demonstrated to the nation the importance of airpower in modern conflict. Our Desert Storm forces from all the Services are drawing upon over twenty years of investment to provide the nation with the kinds of responsive and flexible capabilities needed to underwrite U.S. national security. Future capabilities will depend, in turn, upon choices made today. In Operation Desert Shield/Storm, our air forces have proven flexible and responsive their combat effectiveness the result of a combination of training, readiness, and modern equipment. Stealth, perhaps the most revolutionary set of technologies since the advent of radar and the atomic bomb, has been proven under fire. F-117A aircraft have operated with impunity in contested air space, without the host of support aircraft (air escort, defense suppression, and associated tankers) required by more conventional airframes. For example, F-117As, representing 2.5% of the combat assets, covered approximately 31% of the targets in the Air Tasking Order for the first 24 hours of the air campaign. Precision-guided munitions and stand-off weapons have also proven their merit in destroying critical elements of Iraq's war machine. And General Schwarzkopfs call for more B-52s illustrates the continuing importance and utility of conventional heavy bombers. We will carefully study the lessons of this war to prepare for the next conflict. So will our potential adversaries. In future, air defenses will likely become more robust and effective; conventional targets more hardened and dispersed. We need to be prepared for the future to learn from this war, not repeat it.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 26, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA640666
Entities
Organizations
- Department of Justice Office of Public Affairs