the air campaigns targets is on the decline, on account of rapid runway rehabilitation systems and the shift of focus on effects based operations, but even so airfields being static concentration centres would continue to contain densely packed high-value targets. Aircraft on the ground at airfields are more concentrated and vulnerable than they are in flight. Experience of the 1991 Gulf War has shown that even when aircraft on ground are protected by Hardened Aircraft Shelters (Blast Pens as the IAF terms it), they are not sufficiently protected; because of the precision attack and penetrative capability of PGMs. Apart from aircraft, the damage or destruction of critical base facilities can also prove to be decisive. When airfields are unable to provide landing, take-off or critical support facilities (maintenance, fuel, ammunition), air forces are effectively grounded. Reducing the number of enemy operable bases leads to the overcrowding and overtaxing of the available bases, making them even more worthwhile targets. Airfield attacks were used to devastating effect by the Israelis in 1967 war wherein, the Arab air forces were decimated on ground itself. Operating Surfaces. Damage to runways and taxi tracks can only temporarily close airfields. Modern runway repair equipment makes it possible to make an airfield operational within a few hours. While this may be a worthwhile objective, to either assist friendly ground forces to launch an offensive, or to deny enemy ground forces air support to prosecute their offensive, it must be kept in mind, that the attrition suffered in repeated airfield attacks against runways and taxi tracks could also subsequently render the attacker too weak to counter the opposing air force. Another factor to be kept in mind is the effort required to attack a well-defended airfield. During the 1991Gulf War, a package of 38 aircraft needed 30 support aircraft to ensure that eight aircraft could hit a target with a reasonable chance of survival, i.e. a ratio of support aircraft to strike aircraft of 4 to 1. Other Airfield Targets. Besides targeting operating surfaces, airfield attacks must also target aircraft, personnel and the support infrastructure. However, detailed intelligence would be required 45