Category: Best Military Quotes

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Theatre Command : Bird’s eye view

My views on the issue of jointness and HDO reforms.

(For selective viewing, please click on the links below)

  1. Upto 03:30 – Introduction.
  2. 03:30 – 09:00 – Perspective on the issue of jointness and theaterisation.
  3. 09:00 – 16:40 – Peculiarities of each service with areas of convergence.
  4. 16:40 – 19:15 – Issue of meagre resources.
  5. 19:15 – 26:30 – Are we blindly following others?
  6. 26:30 – 32:45 – Is the timing right?
  7. 32:45 -39:45 – Are we addressing the issue in an ad hoc way?
  8. 39:45 – 45:55 – Views about AD Command.
  9. 45:55 – 51:25 – Way forward and recommendations.
  10. 51:25 – 59:05 – Issue of discussion in open media.
  11.  59:05 onwards – Concluding thoughts.

Comments and value additions are most welcome

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Basics of Airpower Application

It is always good to remember the basics at all the times.

With the ongoing debate about proposed organisational changes, it will be worthwhile revisiting the basics related to application of airpower.

Effective airpower application requires a unique perspective. This perspective has been formed through a century of air operations experience.

Following quotes, principles, guidelines and tenets are part of  doctrinal publications of the air Forces world over.

 

Air warfare cannot be separated into little packets; it knows no boundaries on land and sea other than those imposed by the radius of action of the aircraft; it is a unity and demands unity of command.

 

-Air Marshal Arthur Tedder

 

 

The other Services have air arms—magnificent air arms—but their air arms must fit within their Services, each with a fundamentally different focus. So those air arms, when in competition with the primary focus of their Services, will often end up on the short end, where the priorities for resources may lead to shortfalls or decisions that are suboptimum. It is therefore important to understand that the core competencies of [airpower] are optional for the other Services. They can elect to play or not play in that arena. But if the nation is to remain capable and competent in air and space [sic], someone must pay attention across the whole spectrum; that is why there is an Air Force.

-General Ronald R. Fogleman,

15th Chief of Staff, USAF

 

Continue reading “Basics of Airpower Application”

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Mental Potpourri: All in a day’s Thoughts

The fastest traveler is the human mind. In a fraction of a second it can reach moon, mars or much beyond and come back. In a day we  think about numerous thoughts. Some are interesting and worth sharing with others.

Starting this new series  and naming it “Mental Potpourri”. I hope the readers will enjoy reading these thoughts. These thoughts may trigger  a chain reaction triggering new thoughts.

 

All in a Day’s Thoughts

1.

Leadership: Phrases that keep your team together and involved  

  • “Sorry, that was my fault.”
  • “Please help me with this.”
  • “What is your advice on this?”
  • “I trust your judgment.”
  • “We couldn’t have done it without you.”
  • “I’m all ears.”
  • “What can I do to help?”
  • “What can we do differently?”

 

2.

China and Russia both competing and cooperating in Africa.

 

  • Few years back had picked up a new term from a talk by a management guru. The term is “Coompertion” – i.e. cooperating while competing.

 

  • Wonder how long China-Russia coomperation will last?

 

  • Depends on future power equation, clash of interests and who becomes the dominant partner.

 

  • Also wonder if the African countries will have any say in it.

 

3.

Indian Paradoxes: How True

 

4.

On Retirement

Retire to Something

not

Retire from something

 

5.

Don’t be pushed by your problems

Be propelled by your dreams.

 

6.

Corona Virus

Questions with no clear cut answers-

When will third wave come?

Will it be milder or deadlier?

Is vaccine effective against new mutant versions?

Is booster dose required?

Should children be vaccinated?

And many more…………

 

Best is to take precautions

Stay indoors, social distancing, masks and frequent sanitisation.

 

7.

U.S. is worried that, Afghanistan will dissolve into civil war after the U.S. leaves and fully withdraws its troops.

 

 

8.

Beijing has filed a diplomatic complaint with Tokyo after its deputy defense minister said Japan and the U.S. needed to “wake up” to the security threat posed by China and “protect Taiwan as a democratic country.”

 

At least they have stopped warning and threatening.

 

9.

Theaterisation

Ongoing difference of opinion between the services about the issue is a problem of viewing it form

Worm’s eye view and Bird’s eye view

 

10.

जिंदगी

अधूरी तो नहीं – पूरी भी नहीं

उलझी तो नहीं – सुलझी भी नहीं

मझधार तो नहीं – पार भी नहीं

 

Value additions are most welcome.

 

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