This study concerns a subject that has only recently become of great importance to the Air Force and the national security system of the nation. USAF Counterinsurgency Doctrines and Capabilities traces the upsurge of insurgency movements in many areas of the world and narrates the U.S. actions taken during 1961-62 to develop doctrines and capabilities to counter such movements, with special attention to Air Force actions. The author discusses the meager counterinsurgency capability of the United States when the dangers arose; the impact of President Kennedy's interest in the subject; the development of an Air Force counterinsurgency doctrine; the roles and missions' controversy between the Air Force and the Army; the relationship with the U.S. Strike Command; the acquisition of suitable aircraft; and the buildup of specially trained Air Force counterinsurgency units. Although this study forms part of a larger History of Headquarters USAF, it is being published separately to make it more readily available throughout the Air Force.