ARLINGTON, VA | July 30, 2021 — The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies is pleased to announce a new entry in its Mitchell Forum short paper series, Keynote Remarks at the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Brigadier General Billy Mitchell’s Sinking of the Battleship Ostfriesland by Lt Gen (Ret.) David A. Deptula, Dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.
While the sinking of the Ostfriesland is incredibly significant unto itself, it’s also crucial to highlight the broader context of its meaning. In the wake of World War I, a small group of airmen was confident they had a better way to secure our nation’s interests—one that would take less time, place fewer lives at risk, and achieve decisive results. Their courage, conviction, and dedication are what paved the way for the Air Force the nation enjoys today. More importantly, their vision fundamentally changed what it meant to effectively project military power.
Today, we are emerging from two decades of conflict that was dominated by land-centric thinking—wars of occupation and attrition. It is critical to remember that the U.S. Air and Space Forces can and must do better in providing strategies and concepts that will deliver far more decisive options, without putting so many of America’s sons and daughters in harm’s way. If the last 20 years taught us anything, that should be a core lesson.
The Forum presents innovative concepts and thought-provoking insight from aerospace experts here in the United States and across the globe. To afford publishing opportunities for thoughtful perspectives, the Forum provides high visibility to writing efforts spanning issues from technology and operational concepts to defense policy and strategy.
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