Abstract

All human endeavours are bounded by considerations of time and space, but in the military mind time and space factors have particular resonance. The relationship between time and space has changed markedly as technology has advanced, but this is particular evident, within the military domain, for air power: the most junior of the three branches of standard military organisations. Culturally, airmen think about time and space in ways that their army and naval colleagues do not and cannot, and are able to exploit not only time and space but the relationship between the two in different ways.

This presentation will consider four broad themes: the impact of air power; differences in culture across the three Services; the impact of technology; and decision making. It will draw some tentative conclusions on why airmen are different before inviting questions, comment and feedback.