Download or read book Kick the Tires and Light the Fires written by John T. Farquhar and published by . This book was released on 2023 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "'Kick the tires and light the fires'": this popular, lighthearted phrase from a generation ago captures joyful enthusiasm and excitement and echoes when flying was fun, missions were thrilling, and airmen were "rarin' to go" (at least sometimes). This book serves as an introduction to American airpower studies and a textbook for exploring the foundations of today's United States Air Force. It seeks to build identity through an overview of Air Force heritage and an explanation of the concepts behind current theory and doctrine. The overview hopes to balance brevity with thoroughness and introduce the people, events, technology, and ideas associated with American airpower. It recognizes domestic and international contributions, acknowledging not only the US Army Air Service, Air Corps, Air Forces, and the US Navy's Aeronautical Bureau but also the influence of British, French, Italian, German, and Soviet air forces and international air theorists. "Foundations of American Airpower" stresses the relationship between airpower and strategy. Renowned air historian Phillip S. Meilinger says it best, "Air Power is an inherently strategic force." A primary theme of this work emphasizes that airpower is a strategic tool for policy makers but does not replace the need for sound, comprehensive strategy. Airpower is not a silver bullet that will magically solve problems; it is an instrument of strategy"--