Aftermath: A Historical Analysis of Resiliency Following Failure in Battle – Four Aerial Battles Where U.S. Airmen Won after Failure in World War I and II, Korea, and Vietnam, Esprit de Corps

Nonfiction, History, Military, Vietnam War, Asian, Aviation
Cover of the book Aftermath: A Historical Analysis of Resiliency Following Failure in Battle – Four Aerial Battles Where U.S. Airmen Won after Failure in World War I and II, Korea, and Vietnam, Esprit de Corps by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781370048656
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370048656
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This monograph set out to determine if the USAF exhibited enduring organizational resiliency traits by analyzing four aerial battles where US airmen recovered from initial failure and achieved subsequent victory. The author used literary works from the field of military defeat to determine the framework to evaluate the selected World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam battles. This paper concluded that there were four enduring characteristics that made airmen and their organizations resilient.

First, strategic reserves and industrial capacity were vital to an organization's ability to replace its losses and return to full strength. World War I highlighted the dangers of failing to prepare the country for mass-mobilized, industrial warfare. These lessons led to the industrial base that allowed Eighth Air Force to recover from staggering losses in the opening months of the Combined Bomber Offensive. The advent of the Cold War resulted in a large active duty air force plus a sizeable reserve and National Guard component, a surplus of aircraft in long-term storage, a strategic industrial reserve capacity, and stockpiles of strategic and critical materials, allowing the USAF to overcome losses sustained in the Korean War. However, the Vietnam War highlighted that if the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are not used as intended, they cannot strengthen the resiliency of the USAF and its combat units.

Second, combat experience and flexibility were critical factors in reducing casualties and helping an organization recover from its losses. Veteran airmen possessed knowledge that could only be learned by years of study, training, exercising, and fighting. Using a 'combat orientation' program, they passed valuable experience to new aircrews while mitigating the extremely high risks associated with the first days of combat. Additionally, veterans helped units adjust tactics and upgrade aircraft and aircraft systems in order to counter the enemy advantages and prevent subsequent defeat.

Third, esprit de corps was vital to a unit's ability to recover from failure. Psychological and cultural beliefs such as confidence, honor, and loyalty caused airmen to engage the enemy continually despite the understanding that they and their brethren were likely to become casualties. Additionally, the ability to grieve and then compartmentalize allowed pilots to accomplish their mission.

Fourth, leadership at all levels, from the strategic to the tactical, influenced the resilience of an organization. Strategic and operational leaders made decisions and implemented policies that had long-term impact on a unit's resiliency. At the tactical level, formal and informal leaders influenced the organization's short-term recovery process by addressing esprit de corps problems, correcting tactical deficiencies, exhibiting courage in the face of the enemy, mentoring new pilots, and helping the squadron grieve lost comrades. Lastly, this paper proposes several situations that highlight potential resiliency shortfalls in the current force and require further evaluation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This monograph set out to determine if the USAF exhibited enduring organizational resiliency traits by analyzing four aerial battles where US airmen recovered from initial failure and achieved subsequent victory. The author used literary works from the field of military defeat to determine the framework to evaluate the selected World War I, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam battles. This paper concluded that there were four enduring characteristics that made airmen and their organizations resilient.

First, strategic reserves and industrial capacity were vital to an organization's ability to replace its losses and return to full strength. World War I highlighted the dangers of failing to prepare the country for mass-mobilized, industrial warfare. These lessons led to the industrial base that allowed Eighth Air Force to recover from staggering losses in the opening months of the Combined Bomber Offensive. The advent of the Cold War resulted in a large active duty air force plus a sizeable reserve and National Guard component, a surplus of aircraft in long-term storage, a strategic industrial reserve capacity, and stockpiles of strategic and critical materials, allowing the USAF to overcome losses sustained in the Korean War. However, the Vietnam War highlighted that if the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve are not used as intended, they cannot strengthen the resiliency of the USAF and its combat units.

Second, combat experience and flexibility were critical factors in reducing casualties and helping an organization recover from its losses. Veteran airmen possessed knowledge that could only be learned by years of study, training, exercising, and fighting. Using a 'combat orientation' program, they passed valuable experience to new aircrews while mitigating the extremely high risks associated with the first days of combat. Additionally, veterans helped units adjust tactics and upgrade aircraft and aircraft systems in order to counter the enemy advantages and prevent subsequent defeat.

Third, esprit de corps was vital to a unit's ability to recover from failure. Psychological and cultural beliefs such as confidence, honor, and loyalty caused airmen to engage the enemy continually despite the understanding that they and their brethren were likely to become casualties. Additionally, the ability to grieve and then compartmentalize allowed pilots to accomplish their mission.

Fourth, leadership at all levels, from the strategic to the tactical, influenced the resilience of an organization. Strategic and operational leaders made decisions and implemented policies that had long-term impact on a unit's resiliency. At the tactical level, formal and informal leaders influenced the organization's short-term recovery process by addressing esprit de corps problems, correcting tactical deficiencies, exhibiting courage in the face of the enemy, mentoring new pilots, and helping the squadron grieve lost comrades. Lastly, this paper proposes several situations that highlight potential resiliency shortfalls in the current force and require further evaluation.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book The Group That Calls Itself a State: Understanding the Evolution and Challenges of the Islamic State - ISIS, ISIL, Islamic Terrorism, Parting Ways with al-Qaida, Military, Foreign Fighter Threat by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The DSCA Corps: Bridging the Gap Between the Profession of Arms and Domestic Operations - Defense Support to Civil Authorities Case Study of Hurricane Sandy and Cascadia Rising Earthquake Exercise by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Joint Doctrine for Operations in Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Environments (Joint Publication 3-11) - Combat Operations, Health Service Support, Hazard Considerations by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Defense Department Contracting Guide: Digest to Doing Business with the Military, Selling Products and Services to the Pentagon by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Revolutionary War (War of American Independence): Timeline of the American Revolution, Featuring the Content of Original Documents by George Washington, Continental Congress, Thomas Paine, Others by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Energy Sector Vulnerabilities to Climate Change and Extreme Weather: Increasing Temperatures, Storms, Flooding, and Sea Level Rise, Effects on Power Plants by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Marine Corps Supplement to the Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Story of the Noncommissioned Officer Corps: The Evolution and Development of the NCO Corps, Portraits of NCOs in Action, Selected Documents by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Influence Operations and the Human Domain - Strategic Aims of Joint Special Operations Task Force Philippines, Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jema'ah Islamiy'ah (JI), PSYOP, Intelligence Support by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Materials Genome Initiative: Developing Advanced and Next-Generation Materials, Computational Tools, Experimental Tools, Digital Data, Substitutes for Critical Minerals by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Two-Headed Eagle: Faces of Russian Foreign Policy - History of Actions in the Near Abroad of Central and Eastern Europe, Stalin through the Cold War to Vladimir Putin, Restoring Regional Hegemony by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry: Report of the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force - Risks to Medical Devices and IT Systems, Working in the Open Culture of Health Care by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century Veterans Health: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) VA Independent Study Course and Additional Material - Cognitive Problems, Living with TBI, Family Impact, Treatment by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Factors of Religious Violence and a Path to Peace: A Study of the 16th Century Anabaptists - Radical Protestant Reformation, Apocalypticism, Melchioite Leaders, Munster Rebellion, Christian Doctrine by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NSA Surveillance Controversy: Liberty and Security in a Changing World - Report and Recommendations of The President's Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy