Australian Air Power and Doctrine - Report Example

Australian Air Power and Doctrine Name Title of the course Instructor’s Name 24th August 2012 Introduction The Air Power development has been characterized by evolution in the nature of doctrine, the Australia’s strategic environment and other structure that have in one way or another been used to define its development. From these theories and practices it is clear that Air Power Doctrine is shaped by lessons learnt from history. This paper therefore seeks to answer the question how is Air Power doctrine used to shape the future of Australian Air Force by reviewing these experiences and theories. Discussion The history of Australian air power has its roots on Major Fullerton from British Army as he presented a prophesy in a meeting of army engineers held at Chicago, claiming that command in air power is as essential as the command of gun power in any air battle. His prophesy was later driven home by H.G Wells’ work called “The War in the Air” back in 1908. It is however observed that air power development during its first century was more on revolution than evolution1. During this first century, each period had its own challenges and constituent mitigating innovations. Both operational environment and technology has provided a suitable ground for development of air power. In particular, the development of this organization has been based on historical events that have enabled it to strategize and framework. The major events that shape the development of air power are; the First World War, the Second World War, the Vietnam, and second Lebanon war chronologically. These events have shed more light on flexibility of development as opposed to decentralization and centralization of employment in the same organization2. This is because each event encapsulated different operational tactics, forces and different regions besides being pragmatic in approach in both control and command3. In First World War for example, despite deploying troops on the battle fields; air power provided “new hope” of breaking the stalemate. But to successfully achieve these, flexibility, speed and reach, organizational thinking on developing new technology as well as innovative strategizes were inevitable. The Second World War on its part provided different strategies to control and command in the organization. In addition, the second Lebanon war helped the air power in centralization of command as well as planning and conducting operations. The Australian air power environment strategies are aimed at addressing the unexpected events which in the long run will provide the basis of protecting the interest of the Austrian people. Among other strategic policy, the Australian air power has implemented the following plans; to face the challenges that come with new power relations as the result of the air power growth, to incorporate the immediate neighbors like Indonesia in strategizing and shaping the environment, to put in place the framework of maintaining effective Defence as well as strategic posture. The air power in Australia has to rely on the neighbors for it to be fully developed. On the other hand, if it does not depend on improving their relationship with neighbors; it may be very easy to attack Australia from any quarter. With this in mind, the Australian environmental strategic policy must therefore be effective on international grounds. In addition, the strategic policy aims at influencing the regional environment in ways which reduce the risks of any armed at on the country. So, Australia air power works with other security agencies and policy makers like the UN and the G9 with the strategy of maintaining incumbent security in the country. The Australia government through ministry of internal security ensures that air power is developed through implementation and legislation of new policies. Currently the Australian air power operates and exercises the major commands on their development of tactical doctrines. It is also responsible for reviewing the use of doctrine education in providing air, space and cyberspace in the air. Nevertheless, despite the fact that the sole purpose and exercise of air power is to deter or prevail in military disputes; the Australian air power operate on other eventualities such as disaster relief both locally or international and also deploy personnel were military capabilities are required for other reasons other than combat. For example within Australian territory the most common natural disaster that is managed by the military is the destruction of properties and lives as a result of cyclones which in most cases is companied by floods. In addition, air power is involved in evacuations and rescue operations within the Australian boundaries4. Moreover, military is involved in territorial control where illegal immigrates are rampant, smuggling of contraband goods not forgetting narcotics. A good example of air power application in Australia is the surveillance of the Australian water surfaces and the international waters following the increased pirate attract as well as terrorism attracts. Besides, air power has been deployed in cases were Australia government want to defend its global interests. For example the interest of working with UN in its general principle of resisting attacks all over the globe as well as commerce. The Australian air power is working in conjunction with the newly implemented Defence white paper5. In its part, the white paper explains how the Australian government is strategizing in establishment of Australian Defence so as to face the challenges with courage6. However, the Defence white paper has of recent past helped in the development of air power. The Defence white paper ensures that air power maintains its regional air superiority by getting the much needed 100 F-35 lightening II joint strike fighters and super Hornets in order to improve capability. This aircrafts will for sure add some development in surveillance of country’s territories not forgetting the evacuation and disaster management7. The defence white paper will also assist the organization by improving the multirole combat fighters together with the assets say, the airborne early warning and control planes, arsenal and air to air refueling not forgetting combat. At this juncture, it is important to point out that the future of air power looks bright. For example, with the help of the defence white paper, the organization will be ready to put the following in place; balanced conventional and uninhabited aerial platforms which in one way or another enhance the future anti-submarine welfare capability in the force. It will also strengthen the air force’s tactics in operational air-lifting by acquiring of new aircraft. More specifically, the defence white paper has particularly pointed out some of the key capability that will be given more consideration in the air power8. This include; 100 5th generation F-35 lightening II joint strike fighter aircraft and associated weapons systems will be brought into the organization. 5 KC-30A Multi-role tanker transporters which will be used to refuel the aircrafts while still in the air, 8 patrol aircraft which will be used to provide surveillance on the sea and oceans which will be complemented by 7 new high altitude, long endurance uninhabited aerial vehicles, moreover, the defence white paper provide for 6 new “wedgetail” airborne early warning and control aircraft which in turn will offer control, surveillance and command functions to all the Australian defence arenas9. In addition, it seeks to offer improved army air-traffic control, communication and navigation with soft-ware systems that will allow easy management and monitoring of both civilian and military air-traffic. Finally, the white paper seeks to apply the new technology to offer improved training as well as the results by use of high fidelity simulation and mission rehearsal systems. It is important to point out that the above mentioned key areas are not the only ones enshrined in the defence white paper10. However, all of provided assets, tools as well as the man-power are aimed at improving the operations in which ever field of air power. Say, the royal Australian air force (RAAF) is currently under a rapid change which is driven home by the tireless efforts from air power to restructure and modernize the operations in the crucial areas11. The reform is named 2030 because a lot of activities have to be done which will take a lot of time in order for the Australian military defence force to work effectively in future security. To ensure this as a reality, the Australian government will need to invest heavily on funding the defence force to an amount of $20 billion. The program has a vision of ensuring that the government has created an efficient defence force that will be accountable of nationwide security. For force 2030 to be a reality, the program has been designed with three principles as a guide: one of them is to increase accountability on the part of the defence force. By this the government aims at being transparent in the way that they are going to utilize the budget of reconstructing the force12. In this, the Australian taxpayer will have confidence in the parliament and the government. Another principle to be followed is the need for improved defence planning. This is aimed at ensuring the military spends the funds that they are given effectively in preparing for force 2030.This will improve the goals in strategic planning and capabilities that the military possess. On the other hand, this plan will ensure strict governance and proper managing of acquisitions gotten to work with the defence force. The last principle the government is to observe is quality of products and services in the force. By this, the government aims at efficiency to support and manage the military in their procurement processes 13.This program will be managed by the senior military and civilian leaders and to support their decisions a committee will be appointed which will make sure that all ideas put through are implemented and this will make them responsible for integrating and overseeing the reforms being made. The defence force will have to collaborate with other service providers to ensure that individuals recruited to the force are competent. With the use of white paper initiatives, there will be tremendous growth of the force’s capabilities. The use of communication technology will be highly required in this reform as through this a lot of information will be gathered and reduce costs associated with delivery of services. With effective governance, force2030 will definitely be a reality14. Various concepts have been adopted to ensure effective air power to be expected in the future. The idea behind this is a future that has a massive network of technology that will ensure that there is effective control in the air space. This will encompass automated aircrafts that will work with other machines that will use artificial intelligence to recognize any attack being planned. To make this concept a reality the air force team should recruit people in the management system that will be charged with delivery of accurate processes and accurate decisions. Another concept aimed at in the air force is how they can integrate other organizations in the air force sector 15 .By doing this, there will be efficiency in delivery of humanitarian aid and quick responsiveness when it comes to decision making. There is also the need for global mobility where the air force has no restrictions on where they can operate their activities. With this, the air force can deliver its services anywhere in the world and prevent any terrorism activity. Finally in the concept there should be a great adoption of technology and through the current use of equipment such as Global Positioning System or communication nodes, there is an opportunity to innovate new programs that will make this future concept a reality16. Conclusion The air power remains the greatest complicating factors in the present day command arrangements. The development within the organization is not propagated by centralization nor decentralization but by mere understanding of the principles through which effectiveness, efficiency and flexibility of air power is maintained and enhanced. It is noted that without this understanding, the air power is at risk of “creating generation of airmen intellectually bound to a single organizational construct as the basis for their approach to air power.” History has shown that proper understanding of these principles leads to development and implementation of a flexible approach; one which is bounded not only by explicit but also by well understanding the principles together with the strategies being applied. This approach has been proved the best and the most effective for air power command and control. Theoretically, it may be difficult to implement the approach but the Australian airmen have pride in themselves on the technological and innovations that has formed the basis of their military excellence. However, the environment and air power operations will continue to evolve more so now that the organization is in its second century. Again, with Defence white papers being crafted after some time say 10 years and the vision 2030, the employment guides will forever continue to change. Finally, the organization will continue to change not only by decentralized and centralized control but also by understanding the past experiences. Endnotes Australian Strategic Policy Institute, The Cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget Brief 2009-10 p. 116. Brigadier John S. Baker, Report of the Study into ADF Command Arrangements, Headquarters Australian Defence Force, Canberra, 1988, pp.4-16 Budget Review 2010–11. Research paper, no. 17, 2009–10, Colonel J.F.C Fuller, The Foundation of the Science of War, Hutchinson & Co, London, 1925, p.254 Colonel Rolanda Burnett Sr., Articulation Beyond a Bumper Sticker, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, 2010, p.1. Department of Defence, Defence Annual Report 2009-2010 Volume One, p. 158. General William W. Momyer, Airpower in Three Wars, Reprint Edition, Air University Press, Maxwell Air Force Base, 2003, p.89 Houston, M .Department of Defence, Transcript 25 March 2011, p. 11- 18 Joel Fitzgibbon. What the White Paper Means For the Royal Australian Air Force: Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT 2009, pp.1-4 Lieutenant Colonel Michael W. Kometer, Command in Air War: Centralized Versus Decentralized Control of Combat Airpower, Air University Press, Maxwell Air Force Base, 2007, p.213. Richard R. Muller, ‘The Air War in the Pacific, 1941-1945’ in John Andreas Olsen (ed.), A History of Air Warfare, Potomac Books, Washington DC, 2010, pp.53-79, p.78. Royal Australian Air Force, Australian Air Publication 1001.1 - Command and Control in the Royal Australian Air Force, Air Power Development Centre, Canberra, 2009, pp.2-5 Royal Australian Air Force, Command and Control in the Royal Australian Air Force, pp.2-4. Theo Farrell, ‘Making Sense of Doctrine’ in Michael Duffy, Theo Farrell & Geoffrey Sloan (eds.), Doctrine and Military Effectiveness: Proceedings of the Conference held at Britannia Royal Naval College, January 16th-17th, 1997, Strategic Policy Studies Group, Exeter, 1997, pp.1-5. Thomson, M. ‘Chapter 5–Strategic Reform Program’ the cost of Defence: ASPI Defence Budget brief 2010–11, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, 2010, pp. 131–158 Read More