Air Power is feared globally as a devastating and relatively precise weapon. However, its positive effects on own ground forces are not as well understood. Even though Air Support has been used to great effect in the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflict, little work has been undertaken analyzing its effect on the soldiers who have received Air Support in critical situations.
There exist theories explaining demoralization and the mechanisms that trigger Combat Stress Reaction, which leads to demoralization. By applying Lambert´s Proto-Theory to the first-hand account of soldiers who have experienced combat and Air Support, this thesis paper tries to analyze the effect of Air Power in preventing demoralization.
In the analysis Air Power and CAS in particular, are shown in the analysis to be effective in preventing demoralization as explained by Lambert´s Theory. The result of the analysis also shows a tenuous correlation between positive morale and Air Support. The paper recommends further research into morale and friendly CAS, both to maximize the effects of Air Power but also to motivate CAS and Air Support as an essential mission of an Air Force.