Volume 4 No 4 - Air Power Studies

Boyd’s strategic thinking was comprehensive because
it covered all levels of strategy. The idea that made him
best known was the Observation-Orientation-Decision-
Action (OODA) time cycle or loop
35
Boyd served as a
fighter pilot during the
Korean War operating
F-86 aircraft
served as a fighter pilot in the Korean War in which he was first inspired
by the success of the F-86 against the Mig-15 because of its fast
transient characteristics. Based on his extensive research in the history
of warfare and his engineering background, he analyzed military
successes and failures in the past in a scientific way. Boyd’s concept in
general is largely a modern reinterpretation of The Art of War. He was
also highly influenced by the successes of the Mongols, Napoleon,
Blitzkrieg, and guerrilla warfare. Boyd’s strategic thinking was
comprehensive because it covered all levels of strategy. The idea that
made him best known was the Observation-Orientation-Decision-
Action (OODA) time cycle or loop.
At the grand strategic level, Boyd suggested that first of all, political leaders should inspire their followers to take action
enthusiastically towards confronting and conquering all obstacles that stand in the way. 43 Protracted war, high attrition, and
collateral damage should be avoided. While undermining and isolating the enemy, the state should not only increase its own
spirit and strength but also influence uncommitted and potential adversaries. The state should make the enemy regime appear
corrupt, incompetent, and unfit to govern. That is to say while maintaining its own tao, a state should also try to destroy the
enemy’s tao at both the national and international levels. Having defeated the enemy, the state should ensure that the remaining
conflicts or the conditions of peace will not lead to future conflicts. In brief, Boyd effectively suggested that the state should
pursue a long-term strategy and aim for sustainable peace.
At the operational level, Boyd suggested that the OODA loop could be thought of as being the command and control loop. 44
The loop can be best explained by using its own origin. In air combat, a pilot continuously executes a cycle of physical/mental
tasks. Firstly, he observes the enemy’s initial action. Secondly, he orients himself by recognizing the relative energymanoeuvrability
between his aircraft and the opponent. Thirdly, he decides what manoeuvre is most appropriate for that
situation. And fourthly, he acts by executing the selected manoeuvre. He then begins his next OODA loop by observing the
enemy’s reaction to his initial maneuver and continues onto the next phase and cycle, and so on. Naturally, the OODA loop is
always executed automatically, repeatedly, and continuously. The process occurs at all levels where strategic or tactical