ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 discusses the very important question of what is required for air power to be successful. First, the distinction between military victory and success is made, followed by a detailed explanation of the three pillars of success: people, technologies, and political will. Despite greater automation, the human aspect of air power remains as important today as it was a century ago, if not more. New technologies require new skills, which is illustrated both in more intense training of F-35 pilots or in hiring more computer-savvy drone pilots and cyber specialists. Hence, retention remains a challenge. Air power is very technology-centred and strategic advantage often depends on cutting-edge technologies, but there is also a question of command and control and distribution of aerial capabilities between different services. Finally, as many recent operations have shown, any use of force is effective for as long as there is political will and public support for the military action.
