| Show separate Se independent service units claimed necessity those whose training and experience peri ence permit them t to 0 aspea speak c with authority on matters matter s involving the national defense invariably say that no single service can do the whole job if war comes again i and that all the services must be prepared to carry a full share of the burden general lawton lavton collins chief of staff of the army expressed this view recently when hp he said no one service alone can possibly wage intercontinental war there continues to be a need or bases for any large scale operations bases for fighters to aid heavy bombers nor can we in large operations rely soley on midair mid air fueling there is no argument about th that a t the joint chiefs of S staff t aff are i in accord that it is something that needs teamwork by the army navy and air force that doctrine is logical at the same time certain policies policies laid down at the top military level seem to be a disavowal of it As an example the navy has been prevented from building certain aircraft carriers it feels it must have if it is to be properly prepared and the only logical reasoning behind that action is that the air force can do the whole air job with its big bombers and that advanced bases and fighter protection are no longer necessary this is of course the atomic blitz idea the theory that with bombers we can strike a quick and decisive blow it is appealing unappealing an theory to many because it makes war seem cheap but it is an unproven theory that goes contrary to all past experience if it should turn out to be wrong in another war the results might be suicidal real military security requires the development of every one of the services with each service permitted eo obtain the weapons it feels it needs within budget limitations |
