Employing Air and Space power is founded on the ability to build up a strong awareness of the environment and of all related human limits; this is the only way to reach a full consciousness and a correct comprehensive approach. This is especially true for Space Power which is still seen as far away from daily life.
We begin the thirteenth edition of the JAPCC Journal with two contrasting articles. The first looks at one of the world’s oldest Air Forces and the second at its youngest. Few need reminding of the genesis of Air Warfare during the Italo-Turkish War in 1911, where reconnaissance and bombing sorties by the Servizio Aeronautico represented the first ever use of heavier-than-air aircraft in armed conflict. Air Power has come a very long way since then and we are indebted to the Chief of the Italian Air Force for his insights into today’s challenges.
In 2010, we at the JAPCC took a hard look at ourselves to ensure that all of the work we undertake remains relevant to NATO and the Nations. If we are to do this effectively we must rigorously apply best practice to our research processes and to the presentation of our results so that we continue to provide the best military advice. The ultimate aim was to build upon our hard-earned reputation as NATO’s pre-eminent advocate for the development and enhancement of Joint Air & Space Power.
The AAR Flight Plan is a source document aimed at informing the wider NATO Alliance that establishes guidelines for improving AAR interoperability between nations. This Flight Plan reviews current NATO AAR capabilities, identifies problems in standardisation and discusses future considerations. This document will also present a catalogue of current and future NATO AAR assets, examining a broad range of issues likely to impact future Alliance AAR planning and execution. It endeavours to increase awareness and, ultimately, standardisation and interoperability across the Alliance.
The aim of this Primer is to provide an insight into the history of PR and to pursue a common global standard; to highlight the current complexities with stand-alone national policies; and to suggest changes necessary for a collaborative approach.
It is essential that we all develop a deeper understanding of the air aspects of the Comprehensive Approach and although these papers only look at three issues in particular, I commend them to you as an opening salvo in a debate which will continue for some time. The JAPCC encourages wide engagement on all subjects related to Air and Space Power, thus we would welcome your comments and opinions on these papers or any other issues.
This publication provides a summary of the NATO Air and Space Power contribution to Counter-IED (C-IED) operations.
In recent years, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) have increasingly become a feature of modern conflict, their ease of production using locally-available materials and deployment via support networks providing adversaries, unable to compete on conventional terms, with an inexpensive and effective weapon system. It is therefore unsurprising that addressing the generic IED threat has become a priority for NATO, and is likely to remain so in the conduct of Alliance operations across the spectrum of conflict into the future.
Air Power is fundamental to ISAF campaign design; in their article, Gen Both and Col Jinnette describe the contribution of CAS and suggest that role realignment might better utilise platform versatility. In addition to ends and means, we must look at the ways; do we really still need to predominantly operate in pairs?
A&S Power judicially applied can have a profound effect and provides western powers with their very own asymmetric advantage. Indeed, it might be argued that we have contributed to the complex character of contemporary operations by driving competitors from the skies. Against that backdrop, and with our 2010 Conference in mind, we have dedicated this edition to the ‘Roles and Challenges of A&S Power in Contemporary Operations’ and I have been delighted with the contributions that have explored a challenging theme from many angles.