Thursday, November 26, 2009
AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA Members, last week AFA held its Global Warfare Symposium in LA. We had some great speakers - to include Secretary of the Air Force Donley, Gen Chilton, Gen Kehler, Gen North, Lt Gen Klotz, and many others. We will be putting transcripts of the speeches on our website ... but there were several which brought out great points.
With all the press on: Quadrennial Defense Review, Space Posture Review, Nuclear Posture Review, Ballistic Missile Defense Review, and a follow-on START treaty with Russia, Gen Chilton's talk was especially timely. In it he laid out what he needs to do his very complex mission. You can find it on the STRATCOM website here.
Lt Gen Klotz's talk centered on the challenges facing the newest Major Command in the Air Force - Global Strike Command. One thing he said struck me - "Every Air Force officer should read the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States." The report was written by a committee chaired by former Secretary of Defense William J. Perry. Since General Klotz is one of the smartest officers on active duty [and one of two Rhodes Scholars who are Lt Generals], I took the time to read the report - and Gen Klotz is right - it is a seminal report worth your time. You can find it here.
The rest of the speeches will be put on our website next week - probably mid-week. Check our website then click the Global Warfare Symposium button on the right side of the home page.
Finally, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we need to remember the sacrifices of our great Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians serving in harm's way - protecting our freedom. It is also worth noting that the enemy is global and it has stated its aims very clearly. While I could go into great detail on what those aims are ... the best depiction is one simple map.
I found this map on the web 5 years ago ... and kept it in a visible place in my office. A couple of things to note - first is the title of the map. Secondly, take a look at the lower right corner of the map. When someone asks me what Al Qaida wants, showing this map is the simplest way to point out their strategic aims, the long-term nature of the conflict, and the enemy's patience.
For your consideration.
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
2 comments:
Mr. Dunn...you'll no doubt take flak for this column/map.
If people want to know the truth, read Mark Steyn's book, America Alone.
Examples: By 2015 50% of the Russian Army will be Muslim. The voting majority on the Brussels, Belgium governing body (Capital of the European Union) is now Muslim.
And,the best friend of a guy I know is a former US Ambassador to France.
Due to the soaring Muslim population, he says, "Europe is being taken without a shot being fired."
Paranoid? Not yet...just a lifelong optimist & former journalist (thanks to the GI Bill before the Geraldo School of Journalism!) who pays attention to real world facts.
Not soaring words of 'hope!'
Bob McCafferty
Fair Oaks,CA
The AlQaida map should give a lot of complacent people a wakeup call!
I served in the Horn of Africa (Humanitarian Airlift Program Manager/pilot).I noted that the threat of Extremism is gaining momentum.We should anticipate both covert and overt tactics most anywhere which will range from insidious to radical.
Post a Comment