- Air Leadership Education and Training
C4 ISR & Space
Command, Control, Communication, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Space – C4ISR&S are key enablers for Air Power and its integration with the other domains. This combination of information-driven C2 encompasses all air activities and provides seamless integration of information across all domains to gain a shared understanding of the operational environment in support of decision-making while securing the network from attack or compromise. C4ISR&S’s relevance and criticality are only increasing as NATO embraces the concept of Multi-Domain Operations to deliver Air Power integrated and synchronized with other military and non-military instruments of power. To that end, C4ISR&S Branch embraces a large diversity of competencies thanks to a multinational team of SMEs constantly supporting NATO’s future force and capability development; this includes NATO’s newest operational domains, Cyberspace and Space.
Colonel
Maurizio
De Angelis
Joint Air Power Competence Centre
Colonel Maurizio De Angelis currently serves as C4 ISR Branch Head at the Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC) in Kalkar, Germany. He joined the Italian Air Force Academy in 1990 and obtained a degree in Aeronautical Sciences from Federico II University of Naples.
He graduated as a Military Pilot in the U.S and was assigned to the 18th Fighter Squadron at the 37th Fighter Wing – Trapani Birgi (Italy) flying F104-ASA-M and F 16 A. He is a Specialised Air Defence Operational Tactics Instructor on both F-104 and F-16 with more than 2500 flying hours.
He has participated in many NATO operations and covered positions as SQ, Operations Director, Fighter Squadron Commander, Wing Flight Safety Chief and Wing Operation Chief. He also served at the Italian Air Staff 3rd Division “General Planning and Transformation”, then at the US Joint Staff – J7 “Joint Force Development” Directorate in Suffolk, Virginia (USA) and as Italian Air Warfare Centre Director in Poggio Renatico AFB (Italy).
Most recently, Colonel De Angelis has completed his assignment as R.S.S.T.A / A.W.T.I. (Air Weapons Training Installation) Commander to Decimomannu AFB (Italy).
Information provided is current as of February 2022
Featured Publications
Insights from the Ukrainian Cyber Battlefield
Is the Private Sector a Game Changer?
By Lt Col
Antonios
Chochtoulas
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 24 February shocked the entire world and created the most significant security crisis in Europe since the Second World War. Along with traditional kinetic warfare, Russia has conducted large-scale cyber [...]
The Impact of Commercial Space in Times of Conflict
From a Fortuitous Boost to a Potential Solution
By Maj
Arda
Ayan
By Maj
Brian
Ladd
In today’s connected world, communication and information offered by and through Space capabilities impact people’s everyday lives. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has highlighted what may happen if existing networks are denied. The harsh [...]
Russian Air Force’s Performance in Ukraine
Air Operations: The Fall of a Myth
By Lt Col
Rafael
Ichaso
On 24 February 2022, the world witnessed outrage over Russian missiles attacking multiple targets in Ukraine, waves of helicopters at very low altitudes in what appeared to be aerial assaults on various airports, and reports [...]
Subject Matter Experts
Major
Arda Ayan
Subject Matter Expert
Space
Major Arda Ayan graduated from the Turkish Air Force Academy in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering and was stationed as a SHORAD (Short Range Air Defence) officer at the 6th Main Jet Base Anti-Aircraft Battalion Command. Following his Master’s degree in Space Sciences, in 2014, he was...
Lieutenant Colonel
Antonios Chochtoulas
Subject Matter Expert
Cyberspace Operations
Lieutenant-Colonel Chochtoulas graduated from the Hellenic Air Force (HAF) Academy in 1999, with a degree in Logistics. He holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Hellenic Open University and his subject matter expertise is in the Areas of Information Systems Security and Database Design and Administration. He...
Captain
Patrick Giesenfeld
Subject Matter Expert
Command & Control and Air Battle Management
Captain Giesenfeld joined the German Armed Forces in October 2007, first in the army and since 2009 in the air force. He completed his officers training course in 2011. Following this he was transferred to the TACCS 21 in Erndtebrück, where he acquired his Aircraft Control Licence in 2013. Since...
Lieutenant Colonel
Heiner Grest
Subject Matter Expert
Space
Lieutenant Colonel Heiner Grest is currently the acting Branch Head of JAPCC’s 2020 established Space Branch. He began his military career in 1982 as a conscript. Throughout his career, he has been working in various command and staff positions in Ground-Based Air and Missile Defence and diverse national staff positions....
Lieutenant Colonel
Eric Jodoin
Subject Matter Expert
Cyberspace Operations
Lieutenant-Colonel Jodoin holds a Master of Science in Information Security Engineering (MSISE) from the SANS Technology Institute and has accumulated over a decade of experience in the planning and conduct of cyberspace operations. His experience include a tour as director of operations at the Canadian Forces Network Operations Center (CFNOC),...
Major
Brian Ladd
Subject Matter Expert
Space
Major Brian Ladd graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in History and received his commission by AFROTC. His first tour was at the 4th Space Operations Squadron at Schriever AFB in Colorado Springs, CO, where he was a Satellite Operator of the MILSTAR communications...
Major
Mark Meeuwissen
Subject Matter Expert
Air Operations Planning
Major Mark Meeuwissen graduated from the Royal Military Academy Brussels in 1988 with a Master in Military and Aeronautical Science. His carrier as pilot was performed on F-16 in the Fighter-Bomber role and on NATO AWACS up to pilot-evaluator. On both platforms, he participated multiple times in several operations: Operation...
Major
Giuseppe Valentino
Subject Matter Expert
Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance
Major Giuseppe Valentino started his career in 1992 joining the Italian Air Force NCO School in Caserta. During his service worked in E.W. group as an Intelligence Analyst and had two tours to Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) and was responsible for analysis and production in the Deployed Intelligence Cell. In 2005, he...
Lieutenant Colonel
Jürgen Welsch
Subject Matter Expert
Command & Control and Air Battle Management
Lieutenant Colonel Juergen Welsch joined the German Air Force in 1984. In 1990 he gained a Bachelor Degree in Aeronautical Engineering at the Hochschule der Bundeswehr Muenchen. From 1990 on, Lieutenant Colonel Welsch worked in multiple operational- and staff positions within the field of AIRC2. In 2003, he switched to...
