Korea was probably the first war where the military was able to resupply and reenforce troops in the field in large part by air. The evolution of the helicopter, of a range of capable cargo aircraft, and the perfection of an entirely new logistical science was the first step toward what we now refer to as “air mobility.”

This book is a reminder that every major human enterprise moves on its stomach, and that sometimes the most important technical developments in the conduct of modern warfare have little to do with killing people or breaking things. This is particularly important in an age when logistical capabilities – in insurgencies, in disaster relief, in humanitarian operations –  play an increasingly important role in extending power and influence.