Executive Summary
This dissertation provides a comprehensive history and analysis of airfield defense policy within the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) from 1921 to 1970. It examines the evolution of RAAF's approach to protecting its airfields and assets, highlighting policy development, implementation challenges, and the experiences of personnel. The study aims to establish an institutional memory for RAAF security forces, emphasizing the critical role of ground defense in air power projection.
Why It Matters
This document offers a detailed historical analysis of airfield defense, a critical but often overlooked aspect of air power, providing defense analysts with insights into the evolution of force protection doctrines and their impact on operational effectiveness. Understanding past challenges in securing air assets on the ground is crucial for developing resilient strategies against modern threats.
Key Takeaways
- Airfield defense has been a recognized, though often debated, necessity for the RAAF since 1929, evolving from basic security to complex ground defense operations.
- The vulnerability of aircraft on the ground, as theorized by Giulio Douhet, significantly influenced RAAF policy, leading to the development of specialized defense capabilities.
- RAAF airfield defense personnel engaged in direct combat and provided essential force protection across various theaters, including World War II and Vietnam, challenging the perception that only pilots endured combat.
Strategic Relevance
This historical analysis underscores the enduring strategic importance of airfield defense for maintaining air superiority and projecting air power. It reveals how policy inconsistencies and operational realities shaped the RAAF's ability to protect critical assets, offering lessons for contemporary force protection strategies in an era of diverse threats.