CSAF Leadership Library: April 2024

  • Published
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Wisdom is knowing what to do next. Skill is knowing how to do it. Virtue is doing it.Thomas Jefferson

 

Airmen,

In this time of consequence, I am committed to strengthening our Air Force, and ensuring it continues to be the most formidable and ready force in the world. As such, I am excited to introduce the second installment of our leadership library, intended to empower, inform, and inspire. This curated collection weaves together leadership, draws parallels between historical and contemporary contexts, and explores advanced technologies that are revolutionizing military affairs—all aimed at sparking meaningful discourse within your formations.

Dr. Jean Twenge's Generations offers a data-driven analysis that delves into the impact of technological changes on the unique characteristics of each generation. By examining the traits of the Silent Generation through the newest generation emerging today, Twenge challenges common perceptions on how and why generations act the way they do. This valuable resource is essential for Airmen leading across multiple generations, providing insights that can shape leadership and communication styles.

In Masters of the Air, Donald Miller offers a gripping account of American bomber crews in World War II, adeptly blending the power of fiction with historical accuracy. The narrative vividly portrays the challenges our Nation faced at 25,000 feet, highlighting the unforgiving nature of air combat. Airmen will gain valuable insights into the sacrifices, challenges, and triumphs of their predecessors in this World War II air campaign chronology. When we speak of empowering Airmen, and delegating to the lowest competent level, we can take heart in knowing that our young American Airmen can take on the tremendous responsibility if the country demands it. 

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, China’s Approach to AI, the podcasters explore AI's increasing adaptability, learning capability, and economic influence on both the US and China. Drawing parallels with the Cold War, this podcast offers insightful analysis as it delves into the strategies influencing adversarial behavior and underscores the geopolitical implications of AI advancement.

Chinese Lessons from the Pacific War explores the explicit connections between historical campaigns and modern military affairs. By studying the Pacific War through Chinese eyes, Yoshihara argues that policymakers can better assess Beijing’s evolving perspectives regarding potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific.

My desire is that each and every one of you is always prepared to meet the challenges of Great Power Competition. These titles can be accessed and tracked through the E-Learning CSAF Library Journey, available via your web browsers and phone applications. Investing in intellectual growth is an investment in yourself and those you lead. I encourage each of you to take the time to strengthen your mind and broaden your perspective through engaging with these selections. 
 

CSAF #23

Editor’s note: The CSAF Leadership Library is a fluid set of media selected by Gen. Allvin that evolves as novel ideas are published, recorded and debated. New entries will be added periodically throughout the year.

 

CSAF Leadership Library Books

 

Generations

Professor of psychology and "reigning expert on generational change" (Lisa Wade, Ph.D., author of American Hookup), Jean Twenge does a deep dive into a treasure trove of long-running, government-funded surveys and databases to answer these questions. With her clear-eyed and insightful voice, Twenge explores what the Silents and Boomers want out of the rest of their lives; how Gen X-ers are facing middle age; the ideals of Millennials as parents and in the workplace; and how Gen Z has been changed by COVID, among other fascinating topics.

 

 

 

Masters of the Air

Masters of the Air is the deeply personal story of the American bomber boys in World War II who brought the war to Hitler's doorstep. With the narrative power of fiction, Donald Miller takes you on a harrowing ride through the fire-filled skies over Berlin, Hanover, and Dresden and describes the terrible cost of bombing for the German people. 

 

 

 

 

Chinese Lessons From the Pacific War: Implications for PLA Warfighting

Senior Fellow Toshi Yoshihara surveys Chinese histories of the Pacific War to discern lessons that mainland analysts have drawn from the ocean-spanning struggle. He examines the extensive Chinese-language literature on the great battles at Midway, Guadalcanal, and Okinawa and pinpoints the operational insights that Chinese strategists have gleaned from them. The selected campaigns involved warfighting that will feature prominently in a future Sino-American conflict: carrier air warfare, contested amphibious landings, expeditionary logistics, and electronic warfare.

 

 

 

CSAF Leadership Library Podcasts

 

China’s Approach to Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, we are joined by Mr. Gregory C. Allen to discuss artificial intelligence (AI), China’s thinking on AI technology, and U.S.-China competition in this realm. Mr. Allen explains that over the last decade, the approach to AI technology has greatly shifted with a new emphasis on machine learning. He describes the steps of the AI value chain and how different stages are more computationally intensive than others. He assesses that China has responded to U.S. export controls on certain advanced computing chips to China through several measures, including foreign technology acquisition and restriction evasion. However, Mr. Allen points out that chip-making equipment is central to AI technology, and China does not yet possess this capability. Lastly, he reveals that the Chinese military views AI capabilities as foundational to China’s economic and military power.