ABSTRACT
Control of the air is the primary role of any competent air force. The objective is to secure freedom of action on land, at sea, and in the air. The fundamental concept has remained the same for a century, but the means for achieving it have changed with new technology. This chapter addresses the doctrinal prerequisites for controlling the air, giving historical examples that illustrate the importance of air superiority and air supremacy through two key missions: offensive counter-air operations and defensive counter-air operations. The chapter also examines ground-based ballistic missile defence; the threat of ballistic missiles was seen in the context of nuclear weapons during the Cold War, but has increasingly become a concern due to the actions of radical states such as North Korea and Iran. Finally, the chapter explores the concept of no-fly zones. When hostilities on the ground do not require ground presence, or when ‘boots on the ground’ are not desirable, no-fly zones can influence events. Operation Provide Comfort was a clear case of ‘air cover’, Operation Southern Watch ‘air deterrence’ and Operation Unified Effort (Libya) ‘air occupation’. Whatever the future holds, Western air forces must be able to control the air; surface operations depend on it.
