The synergy of air and space

Benjamin S. Lambeth

ResearchPublished 1998

Until the Gulf War of 1991, Air Force aviators and space professionals worked in almost separate worlds, creating a divide between air and space components of the Air Force. The Gulf War became the crucible for a synergistic potential between air and space, between airmen and space professionals. In unexpected ways, space demonstrated what it could bring to the new face of air warfare in Operation Desert Storm. The exploitation of space by CENTCOM brought about a new awareness of space to the post-Gulf War era, permitting both air and space participants to "see beyond the horizon" and develop a joint space doctrine that could allow a rational allocation of resources for greater force integration. A space "roadmap" with clear concepts of operation that drive requirements (not a technology driver) will help ensure that this integration occurs.

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Originally published in: Airpower Journal, v. XII, no. 2, AFRP 10-1, Summer 1998, pp. 4-14.

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