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Good day to you TSgt Bell,
I am doing research on Air and Space power and wanted to find out how does the Air Force perspective on air and space power enhance warfighting? Thanks for whatever help you can provide.
Sincerely,
Matt
Greetings Matt -
Although an intriguing question, please remember that my job is that of an aircraft flight engineer. My job is to operate a tanker aircraft. I don't make policy, or do in-depth studies of Air Force doctrine. I am merely one tool used by the military to achieve those goals and uphold that doctrine.
Having said that, I can offer what little I have seen that enhances air power. As a tanker crewmember, we "park" ourselves over a hotspot (be it Afghanistan, Iraq, or some other place) to provide fuel for fighters, bombers and other support aircraft. That enables a particular aircraft to stay in the combat zone for a much longer time. This allows a fighter to stay "on station" far longer than a single load of fuel would provide.
Satellite imagery and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV's) also increase the ability to monitor a given area without endangering the lives of aircrewmen. A UAV can be remotely "parked" over a hotspot, and keep it under surveillance for a long period of time. Satellites can also transmit real-time information anywhere around the world to where it's needed the most.
I know this probably isn't the answer you are looking for, but I hope you found it to be of some help.
Sincerely,
James Bell
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks a lot for your quick response and thorough answer. | ||
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Answers by Expert:
James Bell
Expertise
I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.
Experience
Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager
Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.
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