Air University Press and Air University Library are pleased to welcome the relaunch of the Fairchild Series—an academic series of focused on essential issues connected with the highest levels of research. Fairchild Series have been on hiatus for several years, but the “brand name” remains strong. Gen Muir Stephen Fairchild served in uniform from 1913 to 1950, including time as a National Guard sergeant during the Mexican Expedition, a bomber pilot on the Western Front during World War I, the Air Force’s vice chief of staff, and the first leader of Air University. His varied experiences and commands propelled his work to be multifaceted yet centripetal, and Air University reflects that vision in so many ways.

The volume presented here is an exceptional example of a focused study
from academics and active practitioners representing both civilian and military institutions. With changing security issues present on the global landscape, the work of the many collaborators within provides information that is imperative to our understanding of new threats and opportunities. Couple this with the ever-expansive role of technology embodied in artificial intelligence (AI), and the rationale to review the vital discussions in this paper is evident.

While the original purpose of the series some decades ago was to print
“essays considered too short for publication as monographs but too lengthy to be journal articles,” the series has expanded to book-length works to provide coverage and high-level analysis of strategic military issues. Previous editions of the Fairchild Series have explored topics that were current at the time of publication and are still salient today—issues such as space power, combat support doctrine, the role of female officers in the armed services, new war-fighting technologies, expeditionary operations in remote areas across the world, and the harnessing of Air Force intellect.

The continual need to review and renew our educational resources, systems, and practices is at the heart of why this series persists. With this in mind, it is important to reflect on General Fairchild’s words when he spoke at the opening of Air University in 1946 and declared: We have not attempted to create an educational program “for all time.” The Air University must remain a dynamic institution constantly tuned to the future.

There is no place in such a system for traditionalism, rigidity of mind, or
dogma. At all cost, these must be avoided in our attempt to produce an officer corps with a sense of values and proportion, capable of original, flexible, forward looking thought.

Air University Press and Air University Library welcome ideas for the Fairchild Series as we grow our organizations’ ability to promote a continuum of learning. We are committed to providing access to the world of knowledge, and the Fairchild Series play a part in disseminating information that is pertinent to the everyday needs and strategic thinking of the entire military. As you examine AI, China, Russia, and the Global Order we encourage you to think about how, individually and collectively, we can share information and contribute to the long-term educational process of all. Let the conversation continue.