Airpower in the War Against ISIS - Benjamin S. Lambeth

This review has been submitted to Airforce Magazine.

Title: Airpower in the War Against ISIS
Author: Benjamin S. Lambeth
ISBN: 978-1-68247-557-7
Publisher: Navel Institute Press
Year: 2021
Hardcover
Pages: 304

In "Airpower in the War on ISIS," Benjamin S. Lambeth presents a comprehensive and meticulously researched analysis of the role airpower played in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Published in 2021, the book offers an insightful perspective into the strategic employment of air assets during one of the most significant and complex conflicts in recent history.

Lambeth, a seasoned defense analyst and author, brings his expertise to the forefront, delving into the key aspects that made airpower a critical component in the war against ISIS. His work focuses not only on the operational aspects but also on the broader strategic implications and the challenges faced by the coalition forces in countering the terrorist organization.

The book starts by providing a concise historical context of ISIS's rise, highlighting the group's rapid expansion and the destabilizing effects it had on the Middle East. By understanding the gravity of the threat posed by ISIS, readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities that confronted the coalition partners in devising an effective response.

Lambeth then meticulously dissects the various airpower strategies employed by the coalition forces. He sheds light on the use of precision airstrikes, drone surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the utilization of cutting-edge technology. Through compelling case studies and real-world examples, the author demonstrates how these tactics evolved and adapted over time to meet the evolving challenges on the ground.

One of the book's strengths lies in Lambeth's ability to paint a vivid picture of the air campaign's successes and setbacks. He draws on a rich collection of primary sources, testimonies, and interviews with key military figures, which adds depth and credibility to his analysis. Additionally, the author's unbiased approach allows readers to form their own judgments about the efficacy of airpower in the broader fight against terrorism.

While Lambeth praises the coalition's effective use of airpower in degrading ISIS's military capabilities and destroying its infrastructure, he does not shy away from addressing the shortcomings and limitations of the approach. He explores the complexities of urban warfare, the risk of civilian casualties, and the propaganda value that ISIS derived from coalition airstrikes. Such a balanced examination of the subject matter sets this book apart from other works on the same topic.

Furthermore, "Airpower in the War on ISIS" also delves into the dynamics and coordination challenges between the coalition partners. With an array of countries contributing air assets, each with its own objectives and rules of engagement, Lambeth critically examines how these diverse interests affected the overall effectiveness of the air campaign.

Lambeth's writing style is clear, concise, and accessible, making this book suitable for both experts and lay readers interested in the subject. The author avoids jargon and technical verbiage where possible, ensuring that the central ideas are readily understandable without compromising the book's intellectual depth.

However, one potential criticism of the book is its narrow focus on airpower. While Lambeth addresses this limitation early on, some readers might find themselves wishing for a more comprehensive analysis that considers the broader aspects of the war on ISIS, including the role of ground forces and political considerations.

In conclusion, "Airpower in the War on ISIS" by Benjamin S. Lambeth is an essential and enlightening read for anyone interested in contemporary military affairs, counterterrorism strategies, and the complexities of modern warfare. The book offers a well-researched, unbiased, and critical examination of the air campaign against ISIS, revealing both its successes and limitations. With its comprehensive coverage and expert insights, this book stands as a valuable contribution to the understanding of airpower's role in contemporary conflict scenarios.

To Defeat the Few: The Luftwaffe’s Campaign to Destroy RAF Fighter Command Aug-Sept 1940 - Douglas C Dildy and Paul F Crickmore

This review has been submitted to the Journal of the RCAF. 

Title: To Defeat the Few: The Luftwaffe’s Campaign to Destroy RAF Fighter Command Aug-Sept 1940
Author: Douglas C Dildy and Paul F Crickmore
ISBN: 978-1-4728-3918-3
Publisher: Osprey Publishing
Year: 2020
Hardcover
Pages: 384
Photos/Maps: 303/9

A majority of the histories of the Battle of Britain have been drafted from the perspective of the RAF; viewed generally as a small understrength fighter force poised against a blooded, supremely confident and experienced Luftwaffe. Rising to the challenge, David defeated Goliath in a classic tale of prevailing against great odds. Indeed, in some respects this is a very accurate narrative; however, as Dildy and Crickmore have set out to show, that is only a small part of the story.

The authors have approached their analysis of the Battle of Britain from the perspective of the Germans. Why this is important is that it provides the reader with a better understanding of the German challenges, the means at their disposal to overcome them and how decisions were reached that ultimately decided the course of the battle. What sets this book apart from other studies is that the authors have situated their study within the context of an independent counter air campaign (the Luftwaffe’s efforts to defeat the RAF) engaging an adversary with a multilayered and integrated air defence system.

A vast majority of the histories of the Battle of Britain, emphasize the numerous errors that the Luftwaffe made in the execution of its campaign; it is easy to view these as mistakes if one lacks the context of why the Germans made these decisions. This work addresses those shortfalls. Appreciating what the operational and tactical aims of the Luftwaffe were in this engagement is critical to the better comprehension of what drove those decisions. The authors add additional depth to this by clearly analyzing what lay within the technical capabilities and knowledge of the Luftwaffe. Keeping in mind that they had not been faced with an adversary with the command and control infrastructure available to the RAF before.

This work is replete with tables, graphs, rare or previously unpublished photographs and colour maps that add a great deal of scope to the study. The quality of the book is outstanding and it is eminently readable for the casual and serious historian. Too often, histories lower the quality of their work to the lowest common denominator; sacrificing nuance for ‘black and white’ statements. This book does not fall into that category. That errors were made by the Luftwaffe in the execution of its campaign is without doubt (such as changing the focus of the campaign to London); nevertheless, as this work clearly illustrates, the majority were made using the best tools available within the context of their greater strategic goal. This is definitely recommended for the operational thinker, it is not a book for those seeking first hand accounts of victory and defeat. An excellent addition to any library.

MiG Alley: The US Air Force in Korea 1950-53 - Thomas McKelvey Cleaver

This review has been submitted to Strategy 

and Tactics Magazine.

Title: MiG Alley: The US Air Force in Korea 1950-53
Author: Thomas McKelvey Cleaver
ISBN: 978-1-4728-3608-3
Publisher: Osprey Publishing 
Year: 2019
 Hardcover
Pages: 326

Conventional wisdom relating to the Korean War has the UN Forces (read US Air Force) maintaining an incredible kill ratio vs the MiG 15’s of the Koreans and Chinese. Drawing upon primary source material, the author has shown conclusively that, rather than the 14:1 kill/loss rate normally quoted, in reality the air campaign was far closer with rates approaching 1:1 during the first half of the war and 1.3/1 in the latter years. 

Cleaver has undertaken an excellent review of the air war, citing from interviews, intelligence reports and mission assessments from both sides in a (successful) effort to overturn traditional perceptions. The flow of the narrative follows the timeline of the conflict and the reader is therefore able to trace the development of tactics, doctrine and aircraft and the impact that it had as the war progressed. 

Cleaver incorporates within the narrative, a clear and concise discussion of the capabilities of the primary combat aircraft of the adversaries: MiG-15 for the North and the F-86 Sabre for the UN. In the course of his assessments, he is able to prove that, from a technical perspective, the MIG-15 was an equal match for the F-86 and overall, a far superior aircraft to F-51D, F-80 and the navy F9F Panther. His suggestion that the discriminating factor for success became the expertise of the pilots at the controls and the development of doctrine that drew upon the advantages each airframe had over the other, is well supported by primary source analysis. For example, with its multiple cannon and advantage in rate of climb and dive speeds the MiG was best suited as a hit and run platform that could do devastating damage with only one or two strikes; whereas the Sabre, with its 6 x .50 guns and close in maneuverability, was ideal in a more traditional dog-fighting role. 

The author has focussed a great deal of the book on a balanced evaluation of flight documents and after action reports; his analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the pilots (Soviet, Chinese, Commonwealth and American) is fascinating as is his investigation of bias and hubris amongst them. Cleaver adroitly encapsulates the Air War in Korea within the broader spectrum of the international struggle developing between East and West. Thus it was that the nations involved went to great lengths to conceal/manipulate losses and victories as a means of propaganda.

His conclusions are of particular interest as they are not standard in nature. Rather than simply look at win/loss rates and the fact that the ‘North Korean’ air force was not able to operate south of the 38^th parallel, he draws far more nuanced deductions. He posits, for example, that the goal of the North was to prevent UN forces from being able to bomb Northern Korea with impunity. In this respect they were successful in that B-29 losses were such that daylight bombing was suspended and fighter bomber efforts were limited. In fact, as Cleaver points out, the air interdiction campaign of the UN was never able to isolate the North Koreans and Chinese on the battlefield.

A fascinating book and well worthy of a read for those who wish to achieve a deeper understanding of the strengths and limitations of air campaigns. Cleaver has undertaken a comprehensive analyses of his subject, well supported by primary source material, that he presents in a logical and easily understood manner. He has also added a very human dimension to his work with the inclusion of personal anecdotes from participants on both sides of the conflict. Strongly recommended.

Air War in Northern Ireland: Britain’s Air Arms and the ‘Bandit Country’ of South Armagh; Operation Banner 1969-2007 - Steven Taylor

This review has been submitted to Canadian Army Today Magazine

Title: Air War in Northern Ireland: Britain’s Air Arms and the ‘Bandit Country’ of South Armagh; Operation Banner 1969-2007
Author: Steven Taylor
ISBN: 978-1-526-72154-9
Publisher: Pen and Sword

Year: 2018

Hardcover
Pages: 157
Photos/Maps: 1/16 

The British involvement in Northern Ireland has had numerous works written about it ranging from oral and first person accounts to asymmetric warfare techniques that were followed and the political machinations undertaken at the local, national and international level. What has not had much light shed upon it was the role played by the air arm of the British military engaged and how it supported land operations in the field. The author undertakes in this work, to address this historical oversight and to round out the narrative of UK/PIRA (Provisional Irish Republican Army) operations during the time of ‘The Troubles’. 

The book is a relatively fast read. While it provides an excellent overview of the nature and challenges of the air operations, it does not drill down terribly deeply into the methodologies used in planning combined operations, the challenges faced by the various elements as they strove to work together and the means by which doctrine was adjusted to meet the dynamic nature of the IRA’s modus operandi. 

There are; however, a series of themes that flow through the narrative. Each serve to highlight the challenges and benefits encountered by both the UK and IRA in undertaking and responding to the unique operating environment of Northern Ireland. These include: 1. The close proximity of the porous border of the Republic Of Ireland to South Armagh meant that PIRA operatives had a means of escape readily available to them from any pursuit; 2. The international reach and support given to the PIRA from Libya and the United States; and the role played by US law enforcement in disrupting efforts by the PIRA to attain advanced weaponry to counter the air threat; 3. The increasing focus and frustration experienced by the PIRA as they sought a means to overcome the advantages air support provided to the British; 4. The ingenious methods and countermeasures developed by each side to counter advances by the other; 5. The necessity of the PIRA to maintain the support of the population and its impact upon their ability to strike at British air assets. Each of these streams of narrative interweave to provide a broad picture of the complexity of air operations in the region.   

Taylor does provide a more detailed look at the nature of the British air assets and the multitude of roles that they played. While helicopters carried the brunt of the operational load, numerous fixed wing aircraft types provided invaluable reconnaissance and tactical support to ground operations. This discussion is enlightening as it further reinforces the technological advantages and limitations of different air platforms as well as the massive logistical effort required to keep these resources operating. 

The quality of the book from P&S is very good. The map outlining the operational theatre of Northern Ireland is clear and the text very readable. The author has provided a very comprehensive bibliography that provides a significant array of websites, primary source documents and further material for the interested reader. This book is a good starting point from which to examine the nature of air operations in an asymmetric and first world environment.