This working paper discusses certain aspects of the history of war and armed conflict that can help inform the RAAF understanding of air power. It concentrates on the history of war and armed conflict in the long term rather than discussing the traditional 'history of air power', which is limited to the last 100 years or so. It includes a short examination of how war and armed conflict has evolved and discusses why it is important to the RAAF. It then describes how land, sea and air power have developed over time, and identifies important attributes of how each of these forms of military power can differ when applied. The joint approach to war and armed conflict is then discussed along with several examples of how the desired effects have been achieved. Finally, there is a short comment on command in the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

Introduction -- Military history for the Air Force -- The evolution of war -- Land power -- Sea power -- Air power -- The joint approach -- Experience in achieving desired effects -- Joint Force Command in the ADF -- Conclusion.