Airpower in Small Wars: Fighting Insurgents and Terrorists (review)

Airpower in Small Wars is a timely, well done book. It offers broad coverage in terms of both chronology and geography as it explores twenty-seven or so conflicts from the 1916 Mexican Punitive Expedition up through the end of the twentieth century. Based on impressive research in four languages, Corum and Johnson discuss both guerrilla successes and failures, as well as actions in which air power assisted and those in which air power failed.

The authors emphasize the overwhelming predominance of political aspects in these wars. They correctly state that "airpower's primary contribution to the military effort in a small war is likely to be in the very important but less dramatic support roles of reconnaissance and transport, and the result is less exciting than 'fire and steel on target'" (p. 496). Their survey demonstrates that only when the insurgents abandon guerrilla tactics and attempt to wage a conventional war can the destructive force of air power be brought to bear. But using firepower always runs the risk of causing civilian casualties and damage that alienates the population. Not until the recent development of "smart munitions" has there been progress toward curtailing nonmilitary losses by greatly improving accuracy. However, hitting the designated target, and only that target, is not enough, it must also be the proper target. To insure that it is the correct target requires rapid and adequate intelligence. The authors also emphasize the impact of interservice rivalry, strong leadership, and innovation on operations.

A number of criticisms may be directed at Airpower in Small Wars. For example, the title will mislead most readers. The authors use the nineteenth-century military definition of "small wars" which they take to mean, as the subtitle states, action against nonregular forces of a nonstate entity. This definition, arguably too narrow, nonetheless allows the authors to avoid dealing with guerrilla activity in the world wars, which simplifies their task and trims the size of their study. Readers will find that there is more on guerrilla war than air power in guerrilla wars, which will appeal to some, and disappoint others. I think Corum and Johnson struck the proper balance in providing the required context and putting air power into its proper place—in a supporting role. Others may complain about actions not covered, for example those in Cuba, Palestine (prior to 1948), and Tibet. While more might have been better, the existing coverage is excellent. I would also anticipate that purists will criticize the overwhelming reliance on secondary sources; however, such criticism is off the mark. First, the research here is extensive, with an impressive amount from non-English-language sources. Second, this book's strength is its coverage of almost thirty conflicts, which would be next to impossible without relying on secondary materials. In the end, the few valid criticisms are minor and hardly detract from this excellent work.

With America facing increasing challenges from terrorists, and other nations exposed to that threat as well as from insurgents, Airpower in Small Wars is certainly relevant. The authors do a splendid job of presenting detailed case studies for the bulk of these actions with special attention to the use of air power. By so doing, they not only put air power into perspective, but go further by showing how these conflicts were decided. Their coverage is broad, their research is thorough, and their conclusions are sound. Therefore this book is highly recommended, not only for air power and guerrilla war specialists, but generalists as well.