Tomorrow's Air Force

Tracing the Past, Shaping the Future

By: Jeffrey J. Smith

Narrated by: Gary L. Willprecht

Looking ahead to future airpower requirements, this engaging and ground-breaking book on the history and future of American combat airpower argues that the USAF must adapt to the changes that confront it or risk decline into irrelevance. To provide decision makers with the necessary analytical tools, Jeffrey J. Smith uses organizational modeling to help explain historical change in the USAF and to anticipate change in the future. While the analysis and conclusions it offers may prove controversial, the book aims to help planners make better procurement decisions, institute appropriate long-term policy, and better organize, train, and equip the USAF for the future.

The book is published by Indiana University Press.

©2014 Jeffrey J. Smith (P)2014 Redwood Audiobooks

Critic reviews

“With the Air Force bracing itself for a future of tight budgets, rapid technological change, and strategic uncertainty, its leaders at all levels must begin to ask themselves and each other some tough questions about the direction in which their service is headed. Those airmen willing to actively engage such discussions would do well to turn to Smith's book as the basic point of departure for debates concerning the intricate relationship between the Air Force's past, present, and future.” (Strategic Studies Quarterly)

“According to Smith, leadership must adapt and prepare for a future battle space that is more technologically dependent, operationally dispersed, and focused away from air combat to air support and enhancement. It is a bold and courageous clarion call from a highly respected serving officer that should be read and heeded by anyone interested in the future of the US Air Force.” (Everett Dolman, School of Advanced Airpower Studies)

great historical perspective

bad narrating. I could tell that the narrator wasn't familiar with the acronyms and their usage in a spoken context. After the history the implications for the future were too verbose and rambling. That part could have been compressed.