About the Author

Phillip S. Meilinger is currently the deputy director of the AEROSPACENTER for Science Applications International Corporation in McLean, Virginia. A retired colonel and veteran of thirty years active service in the U.S. Air Force, he was a command pilot, staff officer and educator. Meilinger flew C-130s and HC-130s in Europe and the Pacific, and also served on the Air Staff in the Pentagon. He earned a Ph.D. in military history from the University of Michigan and has taught at the Air Force Academy, School of Advanced Airpower Studies, and Naval War College. He is the author of four books and over 50 articles on airpower theory and practice.