Creating Air Refueling Doctrine

<p>Without written operational air refueling doctrine the difficulty of accurately estimating the utility and criticality of air refueling will continue. This paper describes the current state of air refueling doctrine and suggests a systematic approach for the establishment of a concise dedicated operational air refueling doctrine document. In an attempt to clarify mysterious doctrine terminology working definitions and examples of doctrine are reviewed. Aerospace doctrine from 1941 to today is examined illustrating how doctrine has evolved. A doctrine development process is suggested and air refueling historical experiences are analyzed in an attempt to develop basic doctrinal concepts. The doctrinal concepts derived (from the historical experiences) influence how tankers are employed today. A suggested doctrine development process is illustrated by applying a doctrine process model devised by Colonel Dennis Drew USAF Ret. Drew compares the doctrine development process in steps similar to those of written academic research and emphasizes the continuous nature of the doctrine process. The paper concludes that the Air Force can benefit from the creation of an operational air refueling doctrine document and makes specific recommendations for the establishment of an air refueling doctrine development process.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p>