Reinventing the Wheel: Structuring Air Forces for Foreign Internal Defense

This paper examines the theoretical role of air forces in counterinsurgency and the disconnect between what's needed and the US Air Force's capability. The equipment, organizations, doctrine, and tactics required to support third-world counterinsurgencies are different from that which the Air Force has focused on to counter the Soviet threat in Europe. The study's purpose is to suggest a possible wing structure for the US Air Force to address the perceived shortfall.