air power doctrine and the iaf SUMMARY This chapter highlights the following:  Military doctrine could be defined as “a set of fundamental principles by which military forces direct their actions in the quest of national objectives”.  Air power doctrine enunciates the “fundamental principles that guide the employment of air power elements to achieve national objectives”. It is a statement of officially sanctioned beliefs, war fighting principles and terminology that determines and directs the correct use of air forces in military operations.  An air force doctrine determines the manner in which air forces organise, train, equip, fight and sustain their forces.  Doctrine is authoritative but its application requires judgment. 29