Wild Blue Yonder

06/07/2023

Outstanding work by one of our Air University students, Sean Wiswesser of the USAF Air War College!

06/01/2023

New from WBY: Chris Auger and Joe Witherspoon on Why the A-Staff?
https://lnkd.in/gpHcGJt4

 Imperative for ChangeThe US may now face adversaries capable of wielding a disruptive and dangerous operational reach with mass, precision, and speed in all domains.[1] This increasingly complex

05/25/2023

New from WBY: Dr. Seb Lukasik (ACSC) https://lnkd.in/g6-WKJ8R

In February 2019, the American military newspaper Stars and Stripes published an article that examined the unique way in which the 48th Fighter Wing of the U.S. Air Force, a unit composed of F-15E

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/gnMgFm4S

In the morning of 05 July 1943, Oberkommando des Herres (OKH) ordered Army Group Center and Army Group South to begin their attack on a 250km wide and 150km deep Soviet ‘bulge’ along the Eastern

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/dg2J_qNF

The Need for Developing Leaders’ Ethical CapacitiesThis article explores the importance of developing leaders’ ethical capacities by expanding on previous scholarship, emphasizing AU’s QEP efforts,

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/gTDxxVH7

 IntroductionIn recent remarks the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen C.Q. Brown, has identified a set of imperatives for the Air Force to address to meet the challenges presented by aggressive

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/g285jgrV

In no other profession are the penalties for employing untrained personnel so appalling or so irrevocable as in the military.- Douglas MacArthurAnnual Report of the Chief of Staff of the US Army

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/gTa8fMfN

The recent announcement by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that the U.K. will send 14 Challenger II 3rdGeneration Main Battle Tanks (MBT) to Ukraine was met with jubilation in Kiev – which has long

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/guSk7Dpz

Disclaimer: I’ve spent a lot of time studying the strategic significance of the Azores and am applying that while serving there. I’m not an expert but I think I can help illuminate the decision space

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/g7f8TFZv

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force,

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/g6m-b659

From 1950-1980, the United States (US) nuclear weapons program experienced its share of accidents with 32 on record in the opening decades of the Atomic Era. Practitioners call these events Broken

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/gWxs7C9e

By examining how authority has been delegated historically, this article considers the application of mesh-node architecture in the military’s command hierarchy to

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/gGBcRne8

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force,

05/25/2023

New from Wild Blue Yonder: https://lnkd.in/gqacGe5X

IntroductionThis article situates trust and confidence as hallmarks of leaders who thrive in leading organizations. Within the military, trust exemplifies integrity over time and indicates how others

05/25/2023

New from WBY: https://lnkd.in/dtNtrfis

The Air Force is not prepared to implement Mission Command (MC.)[1] Although an increasing number of Air Force senior leaders embrace the idea of MC, at least rhetorically, if it is to become a

05/25/2023

New from WBY: Michael Kraig https://lnkd.in/gxsXsYP6

In the maritime expanse of Southeast Asia (SEA), US challenges in power projection and deterrence are the result of complex geopolitical realities as much as “the tyranny of distance” or the growth of

05/25/2023

New from WBY: Jared Williams https://lnkd.in/gdE6xQJG

The impact of global warming in India presents some interesting security challenges in South Asia in the coming decades.  While widely accepted forecasts of temperature rising between 2 and 4 degrees

05/25/2023

New from WBY: Cody Crawford, CISSP (Squadron Officer School) on Attritable Intelligence, Surveillance, And Reconnaissance (ISR):
https://lnkd.in/dQUjEcYn

The concept of Attritable ISR is not exactly new, but rather a return to warfare between great powers. Having engaged primarily in conflicts with non-peer countries with long-range ISR aircraft (such

05/25/2023

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/illicit-financing-its-influence-national-security/?trackingId=%2BuGiHSUsRpaqy3yTGPvUCw%3D%3D What do fentanyl prescriptions, knockoff DVDs, Confucius Institutes, the Wagner Group, organ trafficking, corruption and blood diamonds have to do with US National Security?

By Dr. Margaret Sankey, Research Coordinator, Office of Sponsored Programs, Air University What do fentanyl prescriptions, knockoff DVDs sold outside of Forward Operating Bases, Confucius Institutes, the Wagner Group, organ trafficking, corruption and blood diam

05/25/2023

New from WBY: Stop Calling It Soft Power! https://lnkd.in/gvBmyT4T

Stop calling it soft power!Joseph Nye popularized the term “soft power” in his book Bound to Lead. Nye’s characterization of soft power influence versus kinetic force betrays the Air Force’s

05/25/2023

New from WBY On the Air: https://lnkd.in/gvwUfacC Join Hap Arnold speakers for a candid discussion of

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force,

12/08/2022

Dr. Lauren Mackenzie discusses the role of failure in teaching and learning with Dr. Megan Hennessey on the latest episode of the Wild Blue Yonder Podcast.

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force,

10/27/2022

"Throughout the last five decades, China has prioritized political alignment, military and economic cooperation with Bangladesh as part of its efforts to establish a regional order favorable to the long-term strategic objectives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). China will use Bangladesh as a pivot point to the Indian Ocean as part of its overall strategic objective to enable its freedom of navigation operations (FONOP) in the Indian Ocean." - Captain Ariful Haque

 Introduction Within the next five to ten years, China is very likely to increase its economic, infrastructure, and military cooperation with Bangladesh as part of its efforts to combat the Western

09/22/2022

"In order to make intelligent policy with respect to regional security, policy makers must understand the centrality of food security to regional stability and the inner workings of key allies and partners. To this end, the US Department of Defense must integrate at a fundamental level with other agencies, such as Department of State and USAID, in order to advance US interests." - Capt. Eric N Dayhuff, USAF

In response to rioting peasants outside the palace demanding bread, French queen Marie-Antoinette was famously quoted as saying “let them eat cake.” Whether or not this is quote is historically

08/30/2022

What are the strategic implications of 'adopting' a bomb? Dr. Margaret Sankey examines civilian crowdfunded acquisition and logistics in a historical context to to frame current financial tactics in Ukraine. http://ow.ly/Q1gq50KvHLR

“Putin, Say Hello to My Little Friend”—The Sebren’s [sic], USA/2022[1]Bombs with messages chalked on the side aren’t new. World War II soldiers loading munitions on planes signed off their

08/25/2022

"In order to decrease our reliance on fossil fuels at home, the United States should pursue greater use of nuclear energy, while also taking steps to help communities that will be hardest hit by the loss of fossil fuel jobs." - Cadet Rys S. Halverson http://ow.ly/2u2M50KsxPT

For years, scientists have warned us that the world must pursue net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This effort must be global, with countries like China and Brazil participating. However, before the

08/19/2022

"Exploring the stand up of Joint Task Force-Michigan (JTF-MI) provides insight for using lessons learned for standard operating procedures, balancing ANG and ARNG processes and equities in daily operations through exposure between the two organizations, and learning and teaching historic and cultural considerations as a partner in the community." http://ow.ly/etRV50Ko4LW

How prepared were you for COVID-19? It is safe to assume it caught many military organizations by surprise, as it did for the rest of the world. As to be expected, there were many challenges of

08/18/2022

Doctors Megan Hennessey and Stephanie Erwin discuss their fascinating research on the dynamics of gender equity in Professional Military Education (PME). http://ow.ly/tx4F50KngQA

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force,

08/11/2022

"Using precise terminology may help clear up just a little of the fog and friction in the enterprise [of C2], and in so doing, accelerate innovation." -Col. Frederick “Trey” Coleman https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Articles/Article-Display/Article/3125018/command-and-control-terms-of-reference/

IntroductionThere’s never been a better time to be in the Command and Control (C2) business.  The Joint Staff is investing heavily in the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) program, which is

08/05/2022

"If decision advantage in conflict is closing our kill chains, then decision advantage in competition is keeping adversary kill chains open." http://ow.ly/6HBt50KcXX9

If decision advantage in conflict is closing our kill chains, then decision advantage in competition is keeping adversary kill chains open. In the 1950s, Col John Boyd embodied the concept of a

07/15/2022

"A holistic path will allow the US to leverage all its advantages, not just its military, to mitigate the risks hypersonics pose, avoid unnecessary resource expenditure, and work toward homeostasis with China." http://ow.ly/Pp6450JXeHv

During the Cold War, the United States (US) engaged in a nuclear arms race with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) that led the world down a path toward global annihilation, but with

06/17/2022

"Environmental scanning precedes scenario development and is a useful research practice to include in the development of wargame design and strategy formulation." - Dr. Brooke Taylor https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Article-Display/Article/3066653/environmental-scanning-a-strategists-competency/

“Clearly, the first task is to gain acceptance of a more reasonable view of the future, one that opens possibilities rather than forecloses them.”—Herman Kahn, Futurist, Founder of the Hudson

06/07/2022

We hope to see you online!

Welcome to the AY22 Air University Research Showcase! AU student research across all of our schoolhouses captures the critical insights of DoD, sister service and inter-agency personnel who bring their hands-on experience to vital issues important to national security. This event is a chance to high...

03/31/2022

"The US-Norwegian relationship is unique, exhibiting a level of trust, friendship, and competence that is hard to match." http://ow.ly/J49k50IxcTe

The old diesel-powered ferry boat nudged towards a tunnel opening at the entrance to one of the fjords lining the main channel to Tromsø, Norway. Tromsø, a city of 75,000 inhabitants, lies some 200

03/01/2022

"From integrated deterrence to conventional-nuclear integration (CNI), the United States has put forward ideas on how to practice deterrence in the era of strategic competition. Those concepts are now being executed by Putin and the US would be wise to take notes on how the Russian President has conducted modern deterrence." Prof. Mel Deaile http://ow.ly/ruLJ50I6TTv

From integrated deterrence to conventional-nuclear integration (CNI), the United States has put forward ideas on how to practice deterrence in the era of strategic competition. Those concepts

03/01/2022

"President Putin is accomplishing the exact opposite of what he intended to when he started this invasion, and if he is counting on the Russian speakers, he should be aware that the Russian minority is not entirely on his side." Prof. Anna Batta, Air War College. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Wild-Blue-Yonder/Article-Display/Article/2949512/are-the-russian-speakers-in-ukraine-on-putins-side/

President Putin is accomplishing the exact opposite of what he intended to when he started this invasion, and if he is counting on the Russian speakers, he should be aware that the Russian minority is

02/25/2022

"Putin structures domestic stability through systematic power consolidation and challenges global stability through acts of entropy, with a curious pattern of significance around Olympic competitions. As Russian forces concentrate on the Ukrainian border disguised as an exercise with a backdrop of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Putin's power projection trend is even more evident." http://ow.ly/K5Pn50I4T9P

Putin structures domestic stability through systematic power consolidation and challenges global stability through acts of entropy, with a curious pattern of significance around Olympic competitions.

02/25/2022

"Given their political and economic weight in the European Union, Germany and France have been instrumental in the peace process of the Donbass conflict which has taken over 13,000 lives in Eastern Ukraine since its outbreak between the separatists and the Ukrainian military." Prof. Anna Batta (Air War College) http://ow.ly/5AFs50I4kaZ

Since the start of the conflict in 2014, various methods have been discussed and tried, such as economic sanctions, mediation, negotiation, civil society engagement at the grassroot level, and

02/25/2022

"As the world watches the situation unfold at the Russia-Ukraine border, China is closely observing the US response, adjusting its decision-making calculus, and drawing key conclusions about US behavior." Capt Joey Ching, USAF http://ow.ly/NPFA50I4jSL

As a strategic competitor, China is carefully watching how the US responds to the Russia-Ukraine crisis to guide future efforts employing diplomatic, information, and economic, instruments of power.