“This country cries out for air power” (House, 2009). These words were delivered by Transitional Combined Air Force Commander General Walter D. Givhan, speaking about the needs of the Afghan fighting force. One might wonder why this says so much. From World War II to the current conflict in Afghanistan, America's ability to employ air power against opposing forces has allowed us to remain a nation whose military effectiveness cannot be matched. However, one may wonder who imagined such an ultimate ability? Pioneers such as the Wright Brothers, General Billy Mitchell, and General Carl A. Spaatz are all American heroes who played essential roles in the advancement of air power. But only one man is known as “the general who created the Air Force.” The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate why I believe that General Henry “Hap” Arnold is both a visionary leader and an ethical leader. Finally, I will describe how I realized that much of the conflicts that General Arnold had to endure relate to the same conflicts that I did, although on a much smaller scale. Any discussion about whether an individual is a visionary leader or not must begin with the definition of what a visionary leader is. According to motivational speaker Seth Kahan, “A visionary leader anticipates events, influences the future, and enables people to flourish in fundamental ways. The qualities that visionary leaders cultivate are imagination, commitment, tangible results, and penetrating introspection” (Kahan, 2002). Throughout this main point, I will address each quality defined by Seth Kahan and provide evidence of how General Arnold exemplified these qualities as a visionary leader. According to Secretary of War and Air Robert A. Lovette "Gen...... middle of paper ......hsonian Institution Press. Daso, D.A. (September 2013). Arnold's Evelotion: The legendary aviator took inspiration from many places. Air Force Magazine, pp. 124 - 129. Davis, R.G. (1997). PAH Henry H. Arnold, military aviator. Air Force History and Museums Program. Feltus, P. (February 10, 2014). The 456th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. Retrieved from http://www.456fis.org/HENERY_H._ARNOLD.htmHouse, J. (June 4, 2009). Bagram Air Base. Retrieved from http://www.bagram.afcent.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123152556 Kahan, S. (April 2002). Visionary leadership. Executive Update.LM01 Barnes Center, T. (October 1, 2012). AIR FORCE DEPARTMENT. LM01, Ethical leadership, pp. LM01 - 8.LM06-2 Barnes Center, TN (March 1, 2013). AIR FORCE DEPARTMENT. LM06-2, Change management, pp. LM06-2SG - 4 - 7. Wolk, HS (2001, November). When Arnold stood up to FDR. Magizine of the Air Force, pp.. 86-90.