The Vital Link: The Tanker's Role in Winning America's Wars: History of Air Refueling from Vietnam to Desert Storm, KC-135, KC-10, Force Structure, The Family that Trains Together, Fights Together

Nonfiction, History, Military, Weapons, Aviation
Cover of the book The Vital Link: The Tanker's Role in Winning America's Wars: History of Air Refueling from Vietnam to Desert Storm, KC-135, KC-10, Force Structure, The Family that Trains Together, Fights Together 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: 9781370741823
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: September 17, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781370741823
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: September 17, 2016
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

This excellent report has been professionally converted for accurate flowing-text e-book format reproduction. This paper focuses on the unique and vital capabilities of the US Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet. Specifically, historic and current tanker usage, tanker operational employment, and the capability of today's tanker fleet are analyzed, with emphasis on force structure and force management. Given that the KC-135 is the USAF's primary air refueling asset and that no planned replacements are due on the flightline for some time, how can the current KC-135 method of employment and force structure support future DOD and coalition operations?

Since its inception in the mid-1950s, the KC-135 has undergone numerous configuration as well as mission changes. One constant throughout has been the reliance of the nation's airpower on this critical asset, whether it was sitting alert during the cold war, or providing mission essential fuel for F-117s en route to Baghdad during the Gulf War.

The success of combat operations in Operation Allied Force was made possible due to the rapid, massive, and professional employment of the KC-135 in the theater of operations. This success, however, can be attributed more to the actions of the tanker community than to any planned, deliberate inclusion of air refueling assets into the operations plan.

In light of decreasing budgets, aging airframes, increased downtime for maintenance, and an explosion in the operations tempo, this paper proposes a four-pronged methodology addressing tanker vision, organization, training, and employment, as the correction needed to get the KC-135 weapon system back on centerline. This will allow the tanker to effectively aid the Air Force in successfully deterring conflict and if needed, quickly win the nation's future wars.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION * Notes * CHAPTER 2 - STRATOTANKER HISTORY: COLD WAR TO DESERT HEAT * The Tanker Goes Tactical: Vietnam * Refueling across a Line in the Sand: Desert Storm * Notes * CHAPTER 3 - AGING TANKERS COME OF AGE: RECENT TANKER EXPERIENCE * Velocity Equals Distance over Time * Damn the Boneyard: Full Speed Ahead! * Allied Force: The Tanker Shines * Notes * CHAPTER 4 - KC-135 FORCE STRUCTURE: WHEN TO SAY WHEN * The Monsters under the Bed * "We interrupt this program" * On the Horizon * Notes * CHAPTER 5 - "VOTE" FOR AIR REFUELING * If It IS Broken * VOTE Early and Often * I Can See Clearly Now . . Or Can I? * Train Like You Fight * The Family that Trains Together, Fights Together * VOTE Yes! * Notes * CHAPTER 6 - CONCLUSIONS * Where to, Mister? * Notes

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 paper focuses on the unique and vital capabilities of the US Air Force's KC-135 tanker fleet. Specifically, historic and current tanker usage, tanker operational employment, and the capability of today's tanker fleet are analyzed, with emphasis on force structure and force management. Given that the KC-135 is the USAF's primary air refueling asset and that no planned replacements are due on the flightline for some time, how can the current KC-135 method of employment and force structure support future DOD and coalition operations?

Since its inception in the mid-1950s, the KC-135 has undergone numerous configuration as well as mission changes. One constant throughout has been the reliance of the nation's airpower on this critical asset, whether it was sitting alert during the cold war, or providing mission essential fuel for F-117s en route to Baghdad during the Gulf War.

The success of combat operations in Operation Allied Force was made possible due to the rapid, massive, and professional employment of the KC-135 in the theater of operations. This success, however, can be attributed more to the actions of the tanker community than to any planned, deliberate inclusion of air refueling assets into the operations plan.

In light of decreasing budgets, aging airframes, increased downtime for maintenance, and an explosion in the operations tempo, this paper proposes a four-pronged methodology addressing tanker vision, organization, training, and employment, as the correction needed to get the KC-135 weapon system back on centerline. This will allow the tanker to effectively aid the Air Force in successfully deterring conflict and if needed, quickly win the nation's future wars.

CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION * Notes * CHAPTER 2 - STRATOTANKER HISTORY: COLD WAR TO DESERT HEAT * The Tanker Goes Tactical: Vietnam * Refueling across a Line in the Sand: Desert Storm * Notes * CHAPTER 3 - AGING TANKERS COME OF AGE: RECENT TANKER EXPERIENCE * Velocity Equals Distance over Time * Damn the Boneyard: Full Speed Ahead! * Allied Force: The Tanker Shines * Notes * CHAPTER 4 - KC-135 FORCE STRUCTURE: WHEN TO SAY WHEN * The Monsters under the Bed * "We interrupt this program" * On the Horizon * Notes * CHAPTER 5 - "VOTE" FOR AIR REFUELING * If It IS Broken * VOTE Early and Often * I Can See Clearly Now . . Or Can I? * Train Like You Fight * The Family that Trains Together, Fights Together * VOTE Yes! * Notes * CHAPTER 6 - CONCLUSIONS * Where to, Mister? * Notes

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book The USAF in Korea: Campaigns, Units, and Stations 1950-1953 - Information on the Ten Combat Campaigns of Korean War, Tactical and Support Organizations, Designated K-Sites, Korean Service Medal by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NSA Secrets Declassified: The Quest for Cryptologic Centralization and the Establishment of NSA: 1940 - 1952, COMINT in the Military, Korean War, Struggle for Control by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The Air Campaign: John Warden and the Classical Airpower Theorists - Giulio Douhet, Hugh Trenchard, Billy Mitchell, World War I Context, New World, British Empire, Continental Theories, Gulf War by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Army Medical Correspondence Course: Therapeutics V - Microbiology, Intestinal Parasites, Antiparasitic Agents, Antibiotics, Antifungals, Antihistamines, Antimalarial, Vitamins by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Black Magic and Gremlins: Analog Flight Simulations at NASA's Flight Research Center (NASA SP-2000-4520), X-15 Simulator, Lifting Body Simulation, Short Take-off and Landing, Boost Vehicles by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Financial Management Operations (FM 1-06) - Fund the Force, Banking, Pay Support, Accounting, Cost Management, Internal Controls (Professional Format Series) 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 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical (NBC) Vulnerability Analysis - FM 3-14 (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Counterinsurgency in Somalia: Lessons Learned from the African Union Mission in Somalia, 2007-2013 - Insurgents, Harakat al-Shabaab, Somali Piracy, Evolution of AMISOM, U.S. Role, Lessons Learned by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2014 Quadrennial Defense Review: Department of Defense Budget Priorities Under Sequestration Cuts, Defense Strategy, Rebalancing the Joint Force by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Shooting Down a Star: Program 437, the U.S. Nuclear ASAT System and Present Day Copycat Killers - Anti-Satellite, Nike-Zeus, North Korea, India, Iran, China, Space Launch, Space Asset Vulnerability by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Prospects for Closer Israeli: NATO Cooperation - Historical Background, Mediterranean Dialogue, Palestinian Conflict, Turkey's Role, Strategic Defense, Military Technology, Benefits for NATO by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: NBC Protection (FM 3-4) Nuclear, Biological, Chemical Hazards (Value-Added Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book From SAC To STRATCOM: The Origins of Unified Command Over Nuclear Forces - Strategic Air Command, Carrier Bomber Debate, LeMay, Spaatz, Kenney, Admirals Revolt, Goldwater-Nichols Act, Cold War End by Progressive Management
Cover of the book NASA's Space Shuttle Program: Shuttle Avionics Design Constraints and Considerations - Guide Book Based on KSC Engineering's Shuttle Turnaround Experience Lessons Learned 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