The ability to exploit the third dimension of the battle space is what gives combat aircraft their uniquenessand is the source of airpower’s strength . It isthe airman’s responsibility to exploit this thirddimension both to protect our own forcesfrom attack and to directly or indirectly reduce the combat capability of the enemyforces through the proper application of air-power. A force vulnerable to attack from theair is a force with an exposed flank. Airpower’sprimary mission at the operational level of waris to expose that “third flank” and exploit it byall effective means to reduce or destroy the enemy force’s ability to wage war
