John Warden III

John Warden III is a retired United States Air Force officer and strategist known for his innovative approach to military bombing campaigns. He developed the "Five Rings" model, which emphasizes targeting an enemy’s critical systems—such as leadership, transportation, and communications—rather than just military forces. This strategy aims to weaken the enemy’s ability to operate effectively with fewer, more precise attacks. Warden’s ideas significantly influenced modern airpower and military planning, promoting swift, focused operations designed to induce rapid victory by disrupting an opponent’s essential functions.