Michael’s Reviews > Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War > Status Update

Col. John Boyd, USAF, was a macho "fighter jock" but, more importantly, one of the few true "thinkers" in the USAF who defied the "company line" in favor of truth and progress, revolutionizing the art of war and turning conventional USAF thought [aka corruption and imcompetence] on its ears. He was no doubt a genius and indefatigable autodidact whose research and conclusions still reverberate through history.

Col. John Boyd, USAF, was a macho "fighter jock" who beat all challengers. He was one of the few true "thinkers" in the USAF who defied the "company line" in favor of truth and efficiency, revolutionizing the art of war and, in the process, turning conventional USAF thought and policy on its ears. He was, no doubt, a genius and indefatigable autodidact whose research and conclusions still reverberate through history.

Col. John Boyd, USAF, was a macho "fighter jock" who beat all challengers. He was one of the few true "thinkers" in the USAF who defied the "company line" in favor of truth and efficiency, revolutionizing the art of war and, in the process, turning conventional USAF thought and policy on its ears. He was, no doubt, a genius and indefatigable autodidact whose research and conclusions still reverberate through history.

"[Captain John] Boyd gave them the numbers that showed how at any ... part of the flight-performance envelope, the [USAF] F-111 was inferior .... If the F-111 faced a MiG, it would be shot down. Period. End of story...."

"[Captain John] Boyd gave them the numbers that showed how at any ... any part of the flight-performance envelope, the [USAF] F-111 was inferior .... If the F-111 faced a MiG, it would be shot down. Period. End of story...."