User:PRZZuzolo

Introduction: The Douhet-Mitchell International Air Power Award was established, by OSIA (Order Sons of Italy in America), on November 30, 1984, to pay tribute to two outstanding aeronautical men: Brig. General William “Billy” Mitchell (1879-1936), an American, and Maj. General Giulio Douhet (1869-1930), an Italian. In the early 1900’s both generals envisioned the role of aviation in both war and peace. Douhet’s actions preceded Mitchell’s by a decade. Because of their outspoken ideas and beliefs, they were both court-martialed by their respective countries, but later reinstated. There are two trophies: One is located at the Air War College at Maxwell AFB in Montgomery, Alabama, and other at the Italian Air Force Academy in Pozzuoli, Italy (near Naples). Previously it was located at the Scuola Di Guerra Aerea in Florence, Italy. One of the award provisions is: Each year the Commandants of each of the two War Collages will select one student whose work in written thesis form demonstrates “extraordinary vision and foresight into the future military aerospace requirements of their countries”. The Inaugural Ceremony was held on November 30, 1984 at the National Defense University, Fort Leslie J. McNair Rotunda in Washington, DC.

November 2017 marked the Thirty Third Anniversary of the Douhet-Mitchell Award presentations. Annually, an Air Force staff officer in Italy, and the USA, are selected by their respective universities to receive the award based on their thesis. The Italians have the ceremony at the beginning of their semester in October, or November as an incentive for the new incoming students. The USAF has the award at their graduation ceremony in May or June. Note: these are not students, but rather major staff officers. The USAF has awarded the trophy continuously since 1985. The only exceptions were in 1991, 2012, and 2015 when the thesis presented did not meet the USAF standards for the award. The IAF, also has awarded the trophy beginning in 1985 however, it was suspended in 1995 due to the unification of the Italian Armed Forces under one Command. It was reinstated in 2003.

History: The Award concept was made during remarks by General Augustine A. Verrengia USAF, acceptance of the Guglielmo Marconi Award during the August 20, 1983 convention in Atlantic City, NJ. In June 1984, National President Aldo Caira and the Supreme Council approved making the Award. Tony Verrengia, with the assistance of Vice President George Bush, received Award approval by both countries Heads-of-State, State Departments, Defense Departments, Air Forces, and Air War Colleges, in less than six months. The triumphal obelisk shape was computer designed by National Treasurer Peter R.Zuzolo, and fabricated at Fairchild Republic, both donations. The estimated cost was over $10,000 for each trophy.

The wooden oak base symbolizes early aviation designs. The main body is made of high quality grade aluminum, stainless steel and lamicord, the primary material used in today’s aircraft manufacture. OSIA’s Golden Lion is mounted on the top of the obelisk. The lion also represents courage and tenacity traits which Douhet and Mitchell exemplified. The Lion is mounted on a pedestal of black graphite epoxy composite material, representative of the new exotic manufacturing materials used in modern aircraft. Attached on each trophy is a piece of fabric, donated by the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, from a SPAD XIII Aircraft Serial # 7689, flown in WW I.

Mitchell and Douhet quotes, respectively, are engraved on the trophies: "My children, in their lifetime will see Aeronautics become the greatest and principal means of National Defense and rapid transportation all over the world and probably beyond our world into interstellar space.” “Victory smiles upon those who anticipate the changes in the character of war, not upon those who wait to adapt themselves after the changes occur." AF seals are etched with dates of their creation, USAF seal, July 26,1947, and the IAF, March 28, 1923.

Dr, Joseph. A. Tursi, did the translation of the IAF Trophy, as well as several of the Italian theses, and John Peterford donated the Trophy engravings, both of the OSIA, Arturo Toscanini Lodge #2107.

The Douhet-Mitchell International Air Power Trophy Recipients

Maxwell AFB,Montgomery, AL			                        Scuola di Guerra Aerea, Florence, Italy

1985	May 7						                                October 11 Col. Robert A. Wiswell, USAF			                                Lt. Col. Mario Redetti, IAF “ The Composite Fighter Wing:The Real Tactical Fighter Roadmap.”		 “The Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) Project.”

1986	May 17					                                         October 16 Cols. Paul C. Burnett, Manuel W. Garrido, Barlow C. Tucker & Ronnie K. Morrow	 Lt. Col. Claudio De Bertolis, IAF "F-16 DigitalTerrain System: Concepts Of Operation Testings.”                  “The Prospects of Flight and Support.”

1987	May 15					                                         October 16 Col. Alfred A. Garcia, Jr., USAF		                                 Lt. Col. Paolo Righi, IAF “A Strategy for Space Warfare.” 		                                 “The Validity of a System of Ballistic Missiles for Europe: Possibility and Reliability.”

1988	May 20					                                         October 26 Col. Brent R. Collins, USAF			                                 Lt. Col. Attilio Volpe, IAF “About the Need for Mobile Small ICBMs in 1990s.”                                “The Consequences of the SDI Over the Strategic World-Wide View and Armament Development”

1989	May 19					                                         December 15 Lt. Col. Craig P. Weston, USAF 			                                 Lt. Col. Vincenzo Cacasce, IAF “The Essence of Spacepower: Important Influences on the	                 “Giulio Douhet: Profetic Non-conformist or Theoretical Dreamer.” Evaluation of National Space power.” 1990	June 18					                                         November  12 Col. Robert W. Peterman, USAF		                                         Lt. Col.  Roberto  Mombelli, IAF “Mission-Type Orders: An Employment Concept for the Future.”	 	         “Le Nuove Armi Ecologiche: Dottrina e Technologia per il Dominio dell’Aria.”

1991	No award presented since no thesis met the USAF standards for the award. October 11 Lt. Col. Carlo Marsilli, IAF “Operational Maintenance and Logistical Evaluations on the Use Of                                                                                          the F-104 Aircraft Until the Use of its Successor.”

1992	June 8					                                          February  15, 1993 Col. Eric N. Johnson. USAF		                                         Lt. Col. Alberto Cantoni, IAF “San Tzu in the Age of Technology: Air Power and the Ancient Art of War.”	 “Opportunita’ Technologiche per l’Aggiornamento del Sistma Addestrativo degli Equipaggi di Volo Militari.”

1993	June 7 					                                         November 12 Col. Alan J. Brindino, USAF		                                         Lt. Col. Arnaldo D’Orazio, IAF “The Challenge of Collective Security:	US Air Power in the Next Decade.”	  “La Programmazione Militare. Il Sindacato Parlamentare e le Spese Militari per gli Armamenti in Italia.”

1994	June 6					                                           November 18 Col. Michael T. Probasco, USAF		                                           Lt. Col. A. Milani, IAF “Joint Force Air Component Commander or Coordinator?” 	                         “The Validity of Technical Evaluations in Light of the New Realities and Threats.”

1995	June 5 						                                  Suspended by IAF Lt. Col. Michael W. Corbett ANG “Boost Phase Intercept: A New Strategic Air Defense Fighters?”

AWC, Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL 1996	June 10 Lt. Col. Carl R. Pivarsky, Jr., USAF “Air Power in the Context of a Dysfunctional Joint Doctrine.”

1997	June 3 Col. Mark E. Steblin, USAF, “Targeting for Effect: is there an Iceberg Ahead?”

1998	June 1 Lt. Col. James O. Poss, USAF, “Air Power Diplomacy – Air Power in Disputes Short ofWar.”

1999	June 7 Lt. Col. Michael J. Nowak, USAF, “The Air Power Expeditionary Force: A Strategy for an Uncertain Future?”

2000	June 5 Lt. Col. John A. Brunderman, USAF, “High Power Radio Frequency Weapons: A Potential Counter to US Stealth and Cruise Missile Technology.”

2001	June 4 Lt. Col. John A. Geis, USAF, “Directed Energy Weapons on the Battlefield: A New Vision for 2020.”

2002	June 3 Lt. Col. Robert E. Suminsby, Jr., USAF, “Fear No Evil: Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles for Suppression of Enemy Air Defense.”

Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama	                                                       Scuola di Guerra Aerea, Florence, Italy

2003	June 2							                           October 9 Lt. Col. Daniel F. Baltrusaitis, USAF, 		                                           Lt. Col. Francesco Barontini, IAF “Centralized Control with Decentralized	Execution: Never Divide the Fleet?”		   and Maj. Vito Gomes, IAF  “La comunicazione In tempo di crisi: L’importanza di informare il Personale.”

2004	June 1							                           November 15 Lt. Col. Daryl J. Hauck, USAF			                                           Lt. Col. Antonio  Evangelio and Lt. Col.Rosario D’Auria, IAF “Pandora Box Opened Wide: Micro Unmanned Air Vehicles Carrying Genetic Weapons.”	   “Minaccia terroristica  ed esigenze di difesa: analisi e crisis management.”

'''Istituto di Scienze Militari Aeronautiche (Formerly S.G.A.) Florence, Italy''' 2005	May 31						                                   2005 Award presented on March 30, 2006 Lt. Col. Matthew R. Bartlett, USAF to:		                                   Lt. Col. Andrea Bossio. IAF “Unmanned Air Combat Vehicles And the Strike Role.”	 			   “La rivoluzione culturale della Network Centrc Warfare (NCW) come possibile risposta alle Nuove sfide poste da avversari imprevedibili. Aspetti, considerazioni e possibile prospettive.”

IAF Academy, Pozzuoli, Italy

2006	May 25						                                   November 7 Lt. Col. Stephen G. Di Domenico, USAF		                                   Lt. Col. Michele Morelli, IAF “International Armament Cooperative Programs: Benefits, Liabilities, and	   “La minaccia terroristica aerea dopo l’11 settembre. Criticita’ Self-Inflicted Wounds: The JSF as Case Study.”	                                   d’intervento per il sistema di difesa nazionale.” 2007	May 24						                                   November 6 Lt. Col. Jeffrey A. Hausmann, USAF		                                   Lt. Col.  Salvatore Ferrara, IAF “High Energy Laser on the Joint Strike Fighter: A Reality in 2025?”		   “La conquista della supremazia spaziale quale nuova frontiera dei conflitti del XX secolo. Analisi, considerazioni e possibili sviluppi nazionali e internazionali.”

2008	May 22						                                   November 6 Lt. Col. Ralph Sandfry, USAF			                                   Lt. Col.  Cristiano Turrin, IAF “China’s military modernization: look toward 2030.”		                  "Il comando e controllo nelle operazioni a aeree. Ipotesi di                                                                                             costituzione di un centro di preparazione, analisi e simulazioni.”

2009 	May 28						                                   November 13 Col. James C. Dawkins, USAF			                                   Lt. Col. Antonio Lanzillotti, IAF “Rising Dragon: Deterring China in 2035.”	                                   “Il Potere Aereo nei prossimi 20 anni. Il futuro concetto operative d’impiego e le caratteristiche della nuova Forza Aerea.”

2010	May 27						                                   November 18 Lt. Col. Kevin M. Coyne, USAF			                                    Lt. Col. Sergio Cannas, IAF “Developing a USEUCOM Intelligence, and Reconnaissance for Fiscal Years		   “Il combat power nella logica Surveillance dell’asymetric air warfare: Digital C.A.S.2010 thru 2015.”	                                   e Digitalized assisted CAS Proposte tecniche, strutturali e di                                                                                             formazione.”

2011  May 26						                                    November 18 Col. David R. Iverson, USAF			                                   Lt. Col. Marcello Morbiducci, IAF “The Ring of Gyges: Anonymity and Technological Advance of Non-State Actors in 2035. ”“Un possible impiego non letale del Potere Aereo nei moderni conflitti asimmetrici.”

2012	No thesis presented since no paper met the USAF standards for the award. November 15 Major Pilot Giuseppe Bellomo, IAF and Major Navigator Federico Pellegrini, IAF "The Airpower in the 21st century The possible                                                                                             effect of the 5th generation airplanes."

2013	May 23						                                    November 14 Colonel James L. Chittenden, USAF,		                                    Lt. Colonel Marco Mele, IAF and Major Matteo Bulloni IAF “Targeting Johnny: Analyzing the Legality,Legitimacy, and Policy Implications of an “Tecnologie emergenti e antiche idee per un possibile futuro del Enemy Attack on CONUS RPA Units."		                                    trasporto aereo militare.” (Emerging technologies and old ideas                                                                                              for a possible future of a military aviation transportation.)

2014	May 22						                                   November 13 Colonel Robert B. Trsek, USAF,			                                   Lt. Colonel Roberto Visintin, IAF andLt. Colonel Stefano Zito, IAF “Cutting the Cord: Discrimination and Command Responsibility in Autonomous	   "Potere aerospaziale, tecnologia ed economia.”.	Lethal Weapons.”					                             (Airspace Power, technology and economy.)

2015	No thesis presented since no paper met the USAF standards for the award. November 26 Major Emilio Fanigiulo, IAF “Rilevanza del Potere Aereo negli odierni conflitti internazionali.” (The relevance of the Air Power in international conflicts.)

2016	May 19						                        November 10 Lt. Colonel Devin S. Traynor, USAF		                        Major Fabio De Michele, IAF & Major Salvatore La Luce,IAF “Application Of Superluminal Radar To Maintain Air Superiority In 2035.” 	(Education, Research and Development:the Foundations of Air Power.) "Formazione, Ricerca e Sviluppo:i pilastri sommersi del Potere Aereo" 2017 May 18                                                                   November 9 Lt. Colonel Jonathan E. Zall, USAF                                      Lt. Col. AArnn Giorgio Bucci, IAFLt. Col. AArnn Zaccheo Cerbone, IAF, "Airmen As Bold Risk Takers, Redefining Risk to Achieve Operational Agility." Lt. Col. AArnn Cristian Di Matteo, IAF, and Lt. Col. AArnn Pasquale Savino, IAF. The price of the “war of choice: the Italian Air Force contribution to the air and space power. (“Il prezzo della “war of choice”: il contributo A.M. al potere aerospaziale”).