Address by Major General Frank M. Andrews Before the National Aeronautics Association at St. Louis, Missouri

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of FUTURE RELEASE Please note date 200 FOR RELEASE AFTER DELIVERY Address by Major General Frank M. Andrews before the National Aeronautic Association St. Louis, Missouri January 16, 1939 7:00 P.M. "Modern Air Power" Mr. Chairman, and members of the National Aeronautic Association. It is a great pleasure to be present today. I want to thank you for the privilege of talking with you on the subject of: "Modern Air Power". I am also mindful of the fact that an invitation to discuss such a subject, before a group of individuals as vitally intérested in our national defense as are the members of your organization, carries with it e great responsibility; particularly at this time when adequate Air Power, or the lack of it, plays such an important part in determining the policies of nations. I hope the presentation of my convictions on the subject will prove of some value, but I wish to say, at the outset, that the view I express are my own, and in no sense commit the War Depart- ment. Time does not permit a discussion of all of the elements that go to make up Air Power, consequently, I intend to confine my remarks mainly to the operating and strategical view- points. Since the phrase "Air Power" is often loosely used, I believe it would be well to explain its meaning as accepted by most military students. Training Regulations of the United States Army gives this definition: "The Air Power of a nation is its capacity to conduct air opera- tions; specifically, the power which a nation is capable of exerting by means of its air forces". Air Fower in its present stage of development has accomplished two things. It has thrown the balance of power in war again to the offense and it has provided nations with a new agency to further their national policies, whether such policies by good or evil. Because of its ability to strike rapidly, and without warning, against the vital economic and social struc- tures of highly organized countries, it has become a formidable instrumentality in the hands of aggressor nations. NARA

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