Winslow Wheeler, director of the Straus Military Reform Project at the Center for Defense Information interviews Sir Rupert Smith, ex-British Army general and author of “The Utility of Power” on C-Span.

If you have an hour to spare, watch it and shudder.

Wheeler: You were commander in Northern Ireland – you didn’t use any air power there

Smith: On the contrary

Wheeler: Absolutely. You didn’t. Why? Why not?

Smith: On the contrary. I had a considerable air force. They were mostly helicopters. I used that dimension extensively.

Wheeler: For transport rather than attack.

Smith: No. I used it extensively. If you’re thinking that air power is just bombs…it isn’t. I didn’t bomb anyone, that’s for sure.

Wheeler: That’s what I’m asking.

Smith: If you’re thinking of air power as just dropping bombs, you’re looking at…10% of its value.

What worries me:

Wheeler worked on national security issues for members of the U.S. Senate and for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) for over 30 years and was heavily involved in legislating the War Powers Act, Pentagon reform legislation, arms control and foreign policy, and oversight of the defense budget and weapons programs.

If your politicians are being advised by someone as näive and dim-witted as this chappy, you have a serious problem