A word from the chief: why "Air and Space"?

Air & Space Power Journal, Fall, 2002 by John P. Jumper

IN THIS EDITION, only the title has changed. The Air and Space Power Journal continues its distinguished tradition of providing Airmen a forum to become knowledgeable and debate the issues of our profession. This intellectual activity is critically important--it is the fuel behind the leadership and vision needed to continue the transformation of the world's greatest Air Force. We must be prepared to meet all the challenges of this millennium--both in our current war on terrorism, and beyond. Our nation expects this of us, and we will do it.

The January 2001 Space Commission report represents a significant intellectual effort, studying how our nation should best utilize space in the 21st century. Notably, the Space Commission report does not use the term "aerospace" because it falls to give the proper respect to the culture and to the physical differences that abide between the environment of air and the environment of space.

We need to respect those differences, and that's why the description of our war-fighting environment as air and space is important. We will respect the fact that space is its own culture, and that space has its own principles. And when we talk about operating in different ways in air and space, we have to also pay great attention to combining the effects of air and space because in the combining of those effects, we will leverage this technology we have that creates the asymmetrical advantage for our commanders.

One way we respect those differences is by understanding we need to develop space warriors--those trained in the planning and execution of space-based operational concepts. At the same time, these warriors are still Airmen who work in our Air and Space Operations Center, integrating space capabilities with air and surface capabilities. Air and space capabilities have to work together to bring the right war-fighting effect to the right target at the right time. We will accomplish this transformational marriage of air and space capabilities through the horizontal integration of our manned, unmanned, and space platforms. Our air and space warriors are working side by side to make this happen.

Another way we respect the differences between air and space is through the transformation of our organizations. On 1 October 2001, the Air Force implemented a key Space Commission recommendation when we realigned the Space and Missile Systems Center under Air Force Space Command. In addition, in April 2002 a four-star general took command of AFSPC as his sole responsibility. The result of these changes is a clear operational focus on the development of our space capabilities and the acquisition of space systems.

America's Airmen--our air and space warriors--whose job it is to leverage both air and space, will combine their skills and their talents to bring the greatest asymmetrical advantage to those commanders whose job it is to win America's war; not only the war we are in today, but every war.