Reflections of an Air Warrior

Recently retired, Dr David Mets was amongst the longest serving faculty members at the Air University at AFB Maxwell. This is a review of the book that he wrote for ASPJ.

Now here is a good book for the aspiring scholar-warrior who wishes to dedicate an evening to informative reading. Written by Group Capt (now Air Commodore) Arjun Subramaniam of the Indian Air Force, Reflections of an Air Warrior brings together a potpourri of previously published articles on a variety of subjects interesting to the audience of Air and Space Power Journal (ASPJ ). The first section of the book holds particular appeal for those who spend their working days on the flight line—be they flyers or maintainers. Written in an engaging way with a focus on leadership, these pieces are concerned with the safe and effective running of a flying squadron. Not limited to the technical and operational details of the work, they also deal with morale, development of air leaders, and quality-of-life issues. The last of the articles in this part addresses in a practical way the “Ethics and Values in Military Leadership.” But Reflections is much more than just a handbook for squadron leaders. Displaying a good acquaintance with the airpower literature of the US Air Force, the author includes a series of thoughtful chapters on that subject. One is about a transition facing the Indian Air Force in light of the great growth of the country’s economy, India’s broadening set of concerns outside its borders, and the perceived tactical force to one that also has a strategic capability. He continues with a piece on the requirements to prepare for out-of-country operations and in this and other articles seems convinced of a convergence of interests for both India and the United States. Group Captain Subramaniam also offers a short essay regarding the growing power and changing strategy of China, which has some interests in common not only with India but also with other nations less obviously in harmony with his own country’s interests. Reflections of an Air Warrior provides useful insight from an informed, articulate, and well read airman from another environment—insight useful for the audience of ASPJ. The only faults I noticed are the absence of a glossary (some of his acronyms are not common in the US Air Force) and an index, but neither omission is a serious impediment. I therefore recommend that this book occupy a fairly high place on the reading list of air scholar-warriors.