Brian D. Laslie is deputy command historian at the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).
"Historian Brian Laslie's The Air Force Way of War does as much
to explain the remarkable rehabilitiation of American airpower in
the period between the Vietnam and First Gulf Wars as any bookThe
book finally consolidates parts of a story told in a variety of
sources into an easily accessible, readable, and digestible volume
that will well serve both airpower historians and future
practicioners for years to comeLaslie extends the utility of his
study beyond the narrow realm of airpower history and provides
insight into institutional and organizational change that will be
of use across the field of military history" -- Christopher Rein,
H-Net
"Laslie convincingly shows that inadequate training was the
primary cause of combat losses in Vietnam. He points out that
studies revealed that over the first ten "actual combat missions"
over North Vietnam took the greatest toll on pilots. Consequently,
the Air Force revised pilot training to make it as realistic as the
first ten actual combat missions.Laslie best captures the mood of
the time in his account of planning for Desert Shield. Personality
clashes created scenes of drama equal to the most intense you can
find on a good TV miniseries." -- VVA Veteran
"Laslie creates an important work that fills a void in the
popular historical narrative [...] [A]n essential read for anyone
who has ever experienced (or wanted to experience) the thrill of
being a part of the world's largest aerial exercise of 100+
aircraft battling over the Nevada desert, known as Red
Flag.Laslie's book is a refreshing look at the people and
operational practices whose import far exceeds technological
advances. [Laslie] skillfully illuminates the human depth and
endeavors of a service that...works diligently and intelligently to
integrate new technology with the humans who operate it." -- The
Strategy Bridge
"Most significantly, the book finally consolidates parts of a
story told in a variety of sources into an easily accessible,
readable, and digestible volume that will well serve both airpower
historians and future practitioners for years to come." -- H-War,
H-Net Reviews
"By placing pilots themselves and their training at the heart
of his work, Brian Laslie has producedan exemplary corrective to
the typical airplane-centered view of Air Force history." --
Michigan War Studies Review
"Historian Brian Laslie has thoroughly analyzed recent air
operations and produced a thought-provoking treatise on the
importance of a post-Vietnam training renaissanceleading to US
success after Vietnam." -- Military Review
"It is well written and documented and is readily accessible
to both airpower historians and to those with an interest in the
development of airpower doctrine. It is no surprise that the book
was selected for the Air Force Chief of Staff's 2015 professional
reading list.The Air Force Way of War is a generally solid,
well-written book, especially in itscoverage of the Air Force's
post-Vietnam transformation through the Gulf War." -- US Military
History Review
"A very useful and interesting study of the story of how the
USAF revamped its training after the Vietnam War and created a
program that brought a high level of success in several conflicts.
The book should have a wide appeal among those interested in
airpower, military affairs, and security policy." -- James S.
Corum, author of Airpower in Small Wars: Fighting Insurgents and
Terrorists
"In The Air Force Way of War, Brian Laslie has offered us an
exhaustively researched look into America's laboratory of airpower.
Laslie chronicles how the Air Force worked its way from the
catastrophe of Vietnam through the triumph of the Gulf War, and
beyond." -- Robert M. Farley, author of Grounded
"Laslie tackles a period of Air Force history that has been
skillfully examined by several air power experts. Yet the author is
able to explore new ground, and truly provide the reader with a
signifcant analysis of the importance of these revolutionary
training events, in particular the Red Flag exercise. The Air Force
Way of War should be considered required reading for air power
historians and analysts, combat veterans and active duty Air Force
operators. Laslie's enthralling text makes it clear why Red Flag is
still thriving as it approaches its 40th birthday." -- The
Bridge
"More than a history for aircrew, this selection examines how innovative thinkers of the time, including then Major John Jumper, Moody Suter, and John Warden, advanced ideas and concepts despite the obstacles arrayed against them." -- Air Force Chief of Staff Reading List 2016
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
