Air Force Roles and Missions: A History

This publication traces the usage and meaning of the terms "roles and missions" relating to the Armed Forces, particularly the United States Air Force, from the birth of military aviation in 1907 to the end of the twentieth century. 

In particular, author Warren A. Trest explores the origins of the battles over post-World War II roles and missions between the Air Force, Army and the Navy, particularly in reference to "forward presence". Trest also explains the Air Force’s unique institutional development, as use of air bombardment and surveillance grew in sophistication and importance, reinforcing the need for treating air power as a separate service. Included is a review of mission and role identification and separation attempts by Congress and various commissions.

Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .ix
Chapter I- Origins: Emerging Military Aviation Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Chapter II- Transitions: Evolving Interwar Roles and Missions . .. . . . . . . .  .29
Chapter III- Patterns: World War II and the Dawn of Global Air Power . . . .63
Chapter IV- Foundations: Framing Roles and Missions under Unification . .109
Chapter V- New Dimensions: the Air Force and Massive Retaliation .. . . . .151
Chapter VI- New Directions: the Vietnam War and Flexible Response .. . . .187
Chapter VII- Change and Consequence: the Maturing of Roles & Missions .227
Epilogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263
Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .303
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .323

Military historians, members of the military, and others interested in the history of the Air Force might be interested in this publication.