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Air Force Doctrine Podcast: Lessons Learned in Doctrine - Ep 7 - General Kenney: Leadership (Mission Command), C2, Air Task Forces, Relationships, and Logistics in Pacific WWII

Air University Public Affairs

Jan. 26, 2024 | 33:22

Get smart about AIRPOWER in the Pacific theater of WWII! This episode features Dr. Richard Muller, Professor of Military History at the US Air Force School of Advanced Air and Space Studies (SAASS), as we discuss GENERAL GEORGE C. KENNEY, commander of the Allied Air Forces in the Southwest Pacific Area of World War II. We focus on Gen Kenney’s approach to LEADERSHIP, COMMAND AND CONTROL (C2), and LEADING UP AND DOWN the chain of command. We discuss how Gen Kenney “handled” GEN MacArthur and how he prioritized giving 100 Bulova watches to aircraft maintainers instead of pilots. We talk about influences on General Kenney's leadership and professional development, his implementation of MISSION COMMAND principles, and his use of AIR TASK FORCES (ATF) to command allied airpower in the vast expanses of the South Pacific, and how they relate to the USAF’s current efforts to revive the ATF construct.

Books mentioned “to learn more:” “MacArthur’s Airman: Gen George C. Kenney and the War in Southwest Pacific” by Thomas E. Griffith, and “General Kenney Reports: A Personal History of the Pacific War,” by George C. Kenney and George Churchill.

As a reminder to all listeners, all topics discussed are UNCLASSIFIED, and the views expressed by guests or hosts are not necessarily the position of the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any government agency.