Beyond the Wild Blue: A History of the U.S. Air Force, 1947-2007

Reviewers often report that an historical book "reads like a novel". I would say that Beyond the Wild Blue develops like a novel. At the end of a novel the reader often realizes that it possesses a theme or a point to which the whole book has contributed. That is the case with this book. The ultimate point of "Beyond the Wild Blue" is that the Air Force has been an organization which has constantly striven, through a continuing research and development program, to achieve its mission through the advancement of aerospace technology. Through his telling of the story of the Air Force as it developed from a stripped down force in the years after World War II to the technological marvel which won the Gulf War, Walter Boyne brings us to realize how the organizational strategy of the Air Force has brought it to the point at which it is the power which it is today. He also makes us realize the degree to which the Air Force depends on the technical expertise of its officers and enlisted personnel in achieving its mission.

Throughout this book, Boyne mixes facts with his candid assessments of personnel who have affected the history of the Air Force. Generals, Secretaries of Defense and the Air Force as well as politicians all come in for forthright praise or criticism. Two of Boyne's heroes figure prominently in the story. General of the Air Force Hap Arnold, who had commanded the Army Air Corps in World War II, guided the Air Corps to its birth as an independent service and inspired its quest for technological superiority. General Curtis LeMay, more than any other officer, imprinted his personality and ideals on the Air Force, much to the benefit of the service and the nation.

Through this book we see the Air Force, at its inception, as a force poorly equipped with World War II leftovers. Ill-prepared at the start of the Korean War and handicapped by politically imposed rules of engagement, the Air Force was, nonetheless, able to establish air superiority throughout the peninsula and, thereby, contribute to the United Nations' successes.

Through the Cold War years of the fifties and early sixties, the Air Force preserved the peace largely through its capability to deliver nuclear weapons, both by manned bomber and ICBM.

The Vietnam War was, for the Air Force as well as all of the American military, a frustrating conflict. The handicaps imposed by politically inspired rules of engagement were more serious even than those imposed in Korea. As an example, pilots were forced to risk their lives trying to destroy trucks individually, while being prevented them from destroying freighters full of trucks in North Vietnamese ports.

After Vietnam, the Air Force continued its technological improvement at an uneven pace, varying with the political winds of the day. The ultimate payoff for the Air Force research and development programs would come in the Gulf War. In this war air control was established, not by defeating an enemy challenge in the air, but by preventing the challenge from arising. The destruction of Iraqi radar and communications kept the enemy planes hunkered on the ground. The ability of air power to pick apart Iraqi defenses and destroy and demoralize its ground forces proved the ultimate vindication of the Air Force research and development programs.

Throughout this book, Boyne presents an agreeable blend of narration about individuals, equipment, organizational concepts and war stories, detailed enough to hold the interest without leading to boredom.

This book addresses all aspects of Air Force service. Fighters, Strategic and Tactical bombers Air Lift and refueling all are given proper attention. The recent reorganization of the Air Force Commands was clearly explained. The changing demands of the American public that victory must be swiftly achieved with few casualties, either of friendly or enemy forces or noncombatants, and the Air Force's ability to meet those demands were presented as a logical result of the continuing research and development programs.

I was particularly impressed by the description of the refueling capabilities which can now keep aircraft flying virtually indefinitely. Equally impressive is the story of the B-52, which may have a useful life of 75 years from first flight to final retirement.

At the conclusion we are presented with an Air Force which has the potential to deliver military punch of unprecedented scope and dimensions. In an era in which the availability of overseas bases may be limited, the Air Force has the capability, through refueling, of delivering ordinance to virtually any place on earth through missions originating in the United States. Although beyond the temporal scope of this book, the continuation of the technological advancement was seen in the Bosnian operation in which bombing runs originated and ended in Missouri by warriors who would spend their nights at home with their families .

This book is a fitting tribute to the men and women who have carried the story of the United States Air Force into the Wild Blue and Beyond.


Must Have for Air Force Historians   April 10, 2010
cpt matt (tanktown, DE)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

This book is not for the faint hearted. It is written by Walter Boyne, a former Air Force Colonel. Boyne has written many other books on US Aircraft and was the director of the National Air and Space Museum. Those who served in the Air Force anytime from WW2 to the present may be familiar with the key players here and enjoy this book. The primary audience will be aviation historians.

The book is a very detailed study of the civilian leaders & Generals who shaped our Air Force, decisions made and why. It covers every aspect of military life - the politics, the people, budgets, war demands, impact of technology, doctrine, quality of life for Air Force members to name but a few. I particulary like the fact that Boyne gives his opinion on issues and people. The book can bog down at times, but Boyne is able to shed light on so many different aspects of the Air Force, there is always something new to be learned here. The bibliography is as helpful as is the last section - the chronology of aerospace power since 1903. Sounds dry until you start to read it.

This is not a book on any specific plane - no nuts and bolts here. Modelers, keep looking. For serious students of aviation history, this is a gold mine of information. Boyne recognizes and gives attention to those who understood the most important part of the Air Force are not its planes, but its people and this is where the focus of the book lies. A real tribute to the many thousands who have served, made a difference, and helped to shape the US Air Force into what it is today- the world's best.



USAF - Best History Available   October 26, 2007
D. Thomas (Ohio, USA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful

I have read many books on the subject of the USAF, and I must say, this is THE BEST ever.

I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a great deal of information, presented in a very readable way, and without being overloaded with statistics.

This new edition (2007) brings you up to date, from the formation of the United States Air Force as an independent branch of the U.S. DoD, to the present day, cutting edge "WOW" technology, up to and including OEF and OIF.

Awesome!



Beyond the Wild Blue   December 11, 2007
Sunny A (NC)
0 out of 2 found this review helpful

I was very pleased with the order and the timely manner in which the book was shipped. It was packaged neatly and in excellent condition. However I am unable to give a review on the contents of the book. It is a Christmas gift for my husband, a veteran of the Air Force, and Christmas is two weeks away. I am sure he will enjoy it because he likes any military or war history book.


An interesting narrative   September 18, 2000
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is a clear logical and easy to follow history of the Air Force. Some interesting observations are made, especially regarding the Vietnam conflict. This is a book obviously written by someone who was watching the Air Force develop from the inside.

A Good read that happens to inform.