This chapter traces the transformation of air power from its inception to its central role in modern military strategy, with a focus on how these developments shaped Turkish defense thinking. Beginning with early uses of aerial reconnaissance and bombing in the early twentieth century, it examines how air power fundamentally altered the conduct of warfare by extending the battlefield into the skies. Drawing on global and Turkish experiences, it outlines the emergence of key capabilities such as air superiority, strategic bombing, ISR, and rapid mobility, along with their implications for both deterrence and combat. Turkey’s evolving defense strategy is situated within this broader transformation. From concerns over Nazi Germany’s air threat during WWII to lessons learned from the Gulf War, Turkish officials recognized the need to modernize and invest in air capabilities. The chapter highlights the rise of unmanned systems and how Turkey’s failure to acquire drones from allies like the US led to a robust domestic UAV industry. This evolution redefined Turkey’s operational doctrine and elevated it to a competitive position in global defense markets. The chapter concludes that air power, especially through its unmanned forms, has become a defining element of national security and strategic influence in the twenty-first century.