principles of war and the nature of air power    forces, that are capable of employing air power to prosecute all the air campaigns, and this is reflected in their structure, technology, organisation, training and infrastructure. It is this that sets an air force apart from an air arm. Air Arm. In exceptional cases, an air arm is an organic component of armies, navies and para military forces, and provides a capability that is not inherent in other elements of that surface force. However, this arm would be in support of the tactical objectives of the surface force unlike the objectives of the air force that are strategic in nature. Air arms also tend to be much smaller than air forces. As a result, they are not capable of prosecuting all the air campaigns. An exception to this is the US which maintains large air arms integral to its naval and land forces. Civil Air Resources. Civil aircraft and infrastructure also contribute to a nation’s air power. They augment airlift capabilities and if suitably modified, could also be used for combat support operations. Space. The acquisition, exchange and exploitation of information in the modern world have been revolutionised by the onset of the space age. An important aspect of modern air power is that it is really an ‘air and space power’. The demarcation between ‘air’ and ‘space’ is becoming increasingly irrelevant, and a modern air force must be prepared to operate seamlessly in both elements. An air force that can tap into space based assets can dramatically improve its ability to prosecute a war quickly and with minimal risk. 23