basic doctrine of the indian air force THE STRUCTURE OF AIR POWER AND ITS INTER-RELATIONSHIPS Air Power Characteristics Air Power Doctrine Air Strategy Air Campaigns Air Operations Roles Tasks Missions Sorties Fig. 3: The Structure of Air Power AIR CAMPAIGNS AND ENABLING FUNCTIONS The relevance of the various air campaigns and enabling functions can be better understood by viewing air power employment in its four basic functions. These are:  Control of the Air. This is achieved by a dedicated counter air campaign through offensive counter air and defensive counter air or air defence operations. Their objective is to gain and maintain the required degree of control of air so as to permit effective employment of all facets of air and surface power.  Application of Combat Power. This is achieved through strategic air and counter surface force campaigns. Here, combat power is applied against surface targets and does not include the targets that are specific to the counter air campaign. Typical roles for air land 36