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.
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.