The need to develop an intellectual edge based on empowerment, innovative thinking and strategic acumen is recognised as integral to success in man
This article began as a response to Daniel Cook’s recent article on ‘Turning the Tap Off – Stopping the Flow of Pointless Jobs in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF)’ (Cook, 2023); as such, it will address some of the points raised in that article within the context a broader trend towards what I term ‘military populism’.
Defence Strategic Review: Air Force Reserve Workforce Targeted Reengagement
Shane Ivimey
Australian Defence Force
How well do Commanders know Aviator's understanding of National Power? Is there a knowledge gap? Does it matter?
Trust: The Key to Developing High-Functioning TeamsDylan WilliamsonAustralian Defence ForceIn the modern Air Force, there is a large portion of att
The Multi-Skilled Aviator – What does this mean? Michael LaneAustralian Defence Force
The main theme of the 2026 Air and Space Power Conference was “building fighting depth” and the Aviator Symposium was “the airminded warfighter.” However, a question that came up repeatedly during the event was “what success actually looks like”? Instead of asking what success looks like now, ask what it would look like decades from now if these ideas had truly taken hold.
Living and Thriving Under AmbiguityLuke Houghton and Jennifer LoyGriffith UniversityWhen new problems arise in life and do not have clear answers c
The onset of the war in Ukraine saw one of the most dramatic shifts in combined arms warfare since the introduction of the machine gun. This shift is attributed to the wide scale introduction of drones to the modern battlefield (Kagan et al, 2024). Principally the conflict is demonstrating drones pioneering new capabilities in reconnaissance, close air support and strategic strike with virtually zero risk to the operator.
David TurnbullAustralian Defence ForceIn my previous blog (Turnbull, 2026), I explored the foundational work of building self-awareness, embracing
