Our sixteenth edition of the JAPCC Journal takes a stronger look at Smart Defence with pooling and sharing, revealing both the broader political and practical military challenges.  It is suggested that if nations are not willing or able to ‘pool and share’ their individual efforts to resolve the smaller issues, there is little prospect of advancing the more ambitious projects and address the collective capability shortfalls. Also, learn of a new emerging technology with the potential to enhance ISR capability at a time when the demand for unmanned systems grows.

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In this age of austerity, even NATO will suffer significant budget cuts. A possible solution is considered to be a ‘Smart Defence’ that could ensure greater security for less money, by working together with more flexibility. During such a crucial time the JAPCC is increasing its attention towards all Air and Space Power related matters, expanding its liaison to international organisations, institutions and industries involved in changes.  This issue will intrigue you with thoughts concerning recent operations in Libya to future considerations as we move into Air Power’s Second Century.

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The Journal of the JAPCC prides itself on expressing Air and Space Power ideas and opinions through a diverse international authorship.  This edition contains submissions from Australia, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.  As the Alliance transitions to a new Air Command and Control structure, matures in Cyber and Space areas and works to field a Ballistic Missile Defence system, there are clearly no lack of challenges.  We hope you feel inspired to further debate the topics inside these pages.

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We begin Edition 13 with two contrasting articles. We are indebted to the Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force for his insights into the transformation of one of the world’s oldest Air Forces.  We then turn to one of the world’s youngest Air Forces in Afghanistan. As a first principle of counter-insurgency, those who help must appreciate that they cannot ultimately win another nation’s internal war for them. A threatened nation must eventually field its own forces to defeat an insurgency. In his article Gp Capt Adrian Hill describes how the professionalisation of the Afghan Air Force is key to successful transition in Afghanistan.

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‘Air is our strategic advantage but can become a strategic vulnerability if not employed with restraint and precision,’ wrote General Stanley McChrystal, COM ISAF, in a letter to Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff on 24 Aug 2009. These words show that our senior joint commanders comprehend both the value and limitations of Air Power.  This edition of the journal inspects the value and limitations of Air and Space Power from many angles.  Topics include: Fixed-Wing Effects and Expeditionary Operations in Afghanistan, Missile Defense, Maritime Air and Counter-Piracy, Space, Cyberspace, Logistics and Strategic Airlift Capability, ‘Black Swans,’ and an excellent interview with the Commander of the Turkish Air Force.

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Air and Space (A&S) Power judicially applied can have a profound effect on Joint operations and provides NATO forces with their very own asymmetric advantage in Afghanistan.  Indeed, it might be argued that we have contributed to the complex character of contemporary operations by driving competitors from the skies and protecting allied forces on the ground.  We have dedicated this edition to the ‘Roles and Challenges of A&S Power in Contemporary Operations’ and are delighted with the contributions that have explored a challenging theme from many angles.  Sadly, one of our leading articles is an interview with the late-Polish Air Chief, General Blasik – we would like to thank Poland for its permission to print this article despite the tragic circumstances and take this opportunity to pass on our heartfelt sympathy to our Polish colleagues.  We are also grateful for the further debate on Missile Defence, Air Policing and Counter Piracy. . .

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Countless operations have highlighted the advantages of dominating the Air environment and, as a number of articles in this edition point out, Space is rapidly reaching, if not already at, a similar point. We are also discovering in contemporary operations that creating a favourable situation in the Air doesn’t end with driving competitors from the sky. With that in mind, I am most grateful to a number of authors for looking at this issue through a wider lens; the articles on Air Basing, Air and CIMIC and Air Law all add to what is a most timely dialogue . . .

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DCOM CC-Air Ramstein kicks the journal off by reminding us that opportunities to harness the collective power of our Air and Space assets are only limited by our imagination and energy. Other potential areas of common endeavour, from small satellites to air transport, are also placed in the spotlight. Elsewhere, we look at training and exercising from collective basic training opportunities through to emerging initiatives in the Live, Virtual and Constructive domains, which have the potential to change how we prepare from the unit/individual level to the highest reaches of command . . . . .

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The wide range of articles in this 8th Edition of the JAPCC Journal clearly emphasises that the optimal exploitation of Air (and Space) Power continues to be a profound challenge. That said, there has been no shortage of Air-minded colleagues, who are willing to pick up the gauntlet and describe how the future of our environment might unfurl . . . . .

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Contributing Article:

Influences on Expeditionary C2 in Contemporary Operations (pdf - 72kB)

While NATO's approach to logistics may not be as direct as Alexander's, achieving effective and efficient joint deployment and sustainment is one of Allied Command Transformation's 3 transformational goals. To airmen logistics might not be as 'sexy' as achieving coherent effects or as apparently progressive as achieving decision superiority, the other 2 transformation goals, but air power's contribution to, and reliance on, joint deployment and sustainment are of critical importance...

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CONTRIBUTING ARTICLE:

Air to Air Refuelling in Expeditionary Operations

As the process of NATO Transformation moves forward, it is clear that a number of key capability areas are now being tackled, including a wide range of air power related topics. However, perhaps one area that has yet to be addressed fully is that of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Undoubtedly, the technology in this area has made rapid advances in recent years and, whilst individual NATO nations have developed a range of UAS related programmes, we have yet to develop any detailed NATO policy and doctrine to guide the future development of UAS and fully integrate them into future combined operations...

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CONTRIBUTING ARTICLES:

A plea for a purpose orientated use in modern operations (137 kb)

NATO UAV Ops (128 kb)

UAVs are set to mature (190 kb)

NATO's ISR challenge during ISAF VIII (80kb)

At the launch of the NATO Response Force (NRF), it was described by the Secretary General as “make or break forNATO”. This is a daunting build-up, but it is one that has concentrated the minds of all those involved in developing the concept and achieving Full Operational Capability.
As the Air Component Commander responsible for the air assets assigned to NRF 7 and 8, I have become intimately familiar with the challenges this involves. The process of preparation of those forces offered to the NRF by Troop Contributing Nations began some time ago...

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Welcome to the first edition of the Journal of the JAPCC, the Joint Air Power Competence Centre´s bi-annual publication. You will find a full explanation of the JAPCC´s genesis and its aims and objectives later in the journal but, in essence, the Director´s vision is to enable NATO´s effective and efficent use of Joint Air and Space Power. It is our intention that the journal will become the JAPCC´s public debating chamber for air power issues. We hope that through exposing a cross-section of ideas and opinions we will spark a debate that ultimately will help to shape the future of air power, to maintain and...

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