In 2009, the JAPCC built upon its hard-earned reputation as NATO’s pre-eminent advocate for the development and enhancement of Joint Air and Space Power today and into the future. The year started in fine fashion with our reaccreditation by HQ Allied Command Transformation – we were the first Centre of Excellence to undergo this process and, subsequently, received a glowing report.
Over the next five to seven years, NATO will see a tremendous increase in its use of UAS on the European continent and in combat areas such as Afghanistan. While the latter is generally not an issue because the airspace is controlled by the military, the former is the real challenge. Therefore, this article will present the current status of UAS integration into the European NAS.
This publication provides the fundamental guidance and an overarching concept for NATO operations and employment of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) through the full spectrum of military operations.
Air & Space provides a vital line of communication for both the movement of materiel and information and, therefore, must be protected if we are to even reach the starting line in fulfilling our goals. But it doesn’t end there – 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.
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.
In 2008, JAPCC built upon its hard-earned reputation as NATO’s pre-eminent think tank for developing and enhancing Joint Air and Space Power today and into the future. We continue to maintain a close relationship with both Allied Command Transformation and our Sponsoring Nations, providing timely and relevant advice and products.
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. In the event, we have received more articles than ever and, even after expanding the size of the Journal, we have had to push some submissions back to the next edition.
I introduce this Edition of the JAPCC Journal with the above quote for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was the fact that its author oversaw one of history’s largest Battlespace Management (BSM) challenges – the amphibious assault on Normandy in 1944. An endeavour, which required the highest degree of cross-environmental co-ordination and, incidentally, was predicated on the delivery of unchallenged dominance of the skies!
This, the 6th Edition of the JAPCC Journal, covers much ground in this debate and places increasing emphasis on the need for Air to contribute to ‘Effects’ wherever and whenever possible with whatever means we find at our disposal. We start with a fascinating insight, direct from the frontline, on the challenges facing NATO Air in Afghanistan. We then look at a variety of subjects intrinsic to an Effects Based Approach to Operations, which demonstrates conclusively that Air’s contribution goes way beyond the application of kinetic effect.
The JAPCC continues to transform. We have articles from our outgoing and incoming Assistant Directors Transformation (and Journal Editors) – Air Commodores Dugmore and Porter. Finally, this is General Schubert’s last edition of the Journal as our Executive Director before he retires in September. The Journal, like much of the JAPCC, has been General Schubert’s conception, and its success a product of his leadership.