Michael J Sowa

Relevance: How the United States Air Force Can Continue to Provide Relevant Space Support to Combatant Commanders Michael J Sowa

Publisher Marketing: Operation DESERT STORM led to the awareness that space assets could be instrumental at the operational, tactical, and strategic levels of war. Air Force Chief of Staff, General Merrill McPeak has been widely quoted as calling DESERT STORM the "first space war"1. The use of Space during Operation DESERT STORM left commanders asking, how do I effectively employed space in concert with combat operations, and who are my Space experts? The United States Air Force permanently assigns space professionals to regional Commands, operational wings, and even tactical squadrons to integrate space and its effects. This ensures space is taught and implemented during routine training as well as combat operations to ensure forces "train as they fight." The Air Force Weapons School (USAFWS) provides graduate-level instructor courses that provide the world's most advanced training in weapons and tactics employment to officers of the combat air forces. Airmen attending the USAFWS are recognized experts in their system. While attending the USAFWS, they are immersed in all aspects of their weapon system and graduate as system experts. Space graduates of the USAFWS, Space Weapons Officers (SWOs), are immersed in the "full spectrum" of Space. This training results in a graduate who is a space "generalists" rather than a system specific expert.