The first lesson is that you can’t lose a war if you have command of the air, and you can’t win a war if you haven’t.
Meaning of the quote
This quote means that if your country controls the skies during a war, you won't lose that war. But if you don't have control of the air, you won't be able to win the war either. The most important thing is to have power and control over the airspace during a conflict.
About Jimmy Doolittle
Jimmy Doolittle was an American military general and aviation pioneer who received the Medal of Honor for his daring raid on Japan during WWII. He was a record-breaking pilot, flying instructor, and instrumental in the development of flight instruments and all-weather airline operations.
More quotes from Jimmy Doolittle
The first lesson is that you can’t lose a war if you have command of the air, and you can’t win a war if you haven’t.
American military officer and aviation pioneer
If we should have to fight, we should be prepared to so so from the neck up instead of from the neck down.
American military officer and aviation pioneer