ADF-I-3 ADF Air Power Ed 1
ADF-I-3 ADF Air Power Ed 1
ADF-I-3 ADF Air Power Ed 1
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This work is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the
Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced by any process
without prior written permission from the Department of Defence.
Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be
addressed to Directorate of Information, Graphics and eResources,
Department of Defence.
Sponsor:
Chief of Air Force
Developers:
Air and Space Power Centre
Doctrine Directorate
Publishers:
Directorate of Information, Graphics and eResources
Doctrine Directorate
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Edition 1
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05 December 2023
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Preface
1. Military doctrine describes fundamental principles that guide
actions by armed forces to achieve their objectives. While
authoritative, doctrine requires judgement in application.
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Amendments
The content of this publication has been derived from general
principles and doctrine contained in other relevant publications,
Defence manuals, and allied publications and agreements. Every
opportunity should be taken by users of this publication to examine
its content for applicability and currency. The Doctrine Directorate
invites assistance from you, the reader, to improve this publication.
Please report any deficiencies, errors or potential amendments.
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and
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Contents
Authorisation ii
Preface iii
Amendments v
Doctrine publication hierarchy vi
Contents vii
List of figures xi
Chapter 1 – 1
Understanding air power 1
Introduction 1
Operational context 2
Air power practitioners 3
Airmindedness 4
Domains 5
Nature of the air domain 5
Ubiquity 6
Obstacles 6
Boundaries 6
Weather 7
Attributes of the air domain 7
Speed 8
Range 8
Altitude 8
Considerations for the use of the air domain 10
National interest considerations 10
Legal and ethical considerations 11
Technological considerations 11
Human considerations 12
Air power 13
Air power characteristics 14
Agility 15
Reach 17
Persistence 19
Resilience 20
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Payload 24
Navy and Army aviation 25
Chapter 2 – 27
Generating air power 27
Introduction 27
Air power preparedness 27
Air power contributions framework 29
Air power contributions – control of the air 30
Counter air 31
Offensive counter air 31
Defensive counter air 33
Air power contributions – air mobility 34
Air logistics support 35
Airborne operations 35
Air-to-air refuelling 36
Aeromedical evacuation 36
Air power contributions – air intelligence and ISR 37
Air ISR 38
Processing, exploitation and dissemination 39
Air intelligence 40
Air domain awareness 40
Air power contributions – strike from the air 41
Offensive air support 41
Strategic attack 43
Maritime strike from the air 44
Electronic attack from the air 45
Air power contributions – air command and
control 46
Airspace management and control 46
Air battle management 48
Air contribution to targeting 48
Personnel recovery 49
Theatre air control 49
Air power contributions - airbase operations 50
Airbase roles 51
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Airbase functions 52
Air power contributions – air power technical
support 54
Aviation medicine 54
Aviation safety 54
Electronic warfare support 55
Cyber operations support 56
Relationship between the air power contributions 57
Chapter 3 – 58
Integrating air power 58
Introduction 58
Integration framework 58
Continuum of integration 60
Air power practitioner integration 60
Social mastery 61
Technical mastery 63
Defence mastery 64
Service integration 66
Generation and preparedness 67
Service exercises 67
Service activities 69
Technical support 70
Air power considerations for joint force
integration 70
Air-maritime integration 72
Air-land integration 73
Air-space integration 75
Air-cyber integration 76
National and multinational integration 78
Joint planning as the integrator 79
Chapter 4 – 80
Employing air power 80
Introduction 80
Agile operations 81
Adaptive basing 82
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Glossary 109
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List of figures
Figure 1.1: Military air power, a single component of an integrated
force which, in turn, is a single component of national
power ................................................................................................ 3
Figure 1.2: People, the foundation of air power ......................................... 4
Figure 1.3: Domains of the operational environment,
interdependent with the information environment ......... 5
Figure 1.4: Brownout, caused by low level flight in dusty areas ........... 6
Figure 1.5: Ability to operate above obstacles and weather .................. 7
Figure 1.6: Capacity to achieve high speed flight ...................................... 8
Figure 1.7: Considerations for the use of the air domain ..................... 10
Figure 1.8: National and international airspace ........................................ 11
Figure 1.9: Chief of Air Force and Warrant Officer - Air Force join
with local Air Force and indigenous members from
the Wulgurukaba Traditional Custodian Group to
celebrate the opening of the Yarning Circle at RAAF
Base Townsville, June 2023 ..................................................... 12
Figure 1.10: Gender, a human consideration of the air domain ......... 13
Figure 1.11: Air power support to a humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief operation ........................................................... 14
Figure 1.12: Linking the nature and attributes of the air domain to
the characteristics of air power ............................................. 15
Figure 1.13: Increased persistence through air-to-air refuelling ........ 20
Figure 1.14: Air power includes the ability to safely recover a
seriously damaged aircraft ...................................................... 21
Figure 1.15: Precise effect through airdrop of stores ............................. 24
Figure 1.16: Embarked aviation generated, prepared and
employed as an integral part of maritime power ........... 25
Figure 1.17: Army aviation, as a part of a combined arms live fire
activity............................................................................................. 26
Figure 2.1: Preparing a P-8A Poseidon for operations........................... 28
Figure 2.2: Air power contributions framework ........................................ 29
Figure 2.3: Control of the air spectrum ........................................................ 30
Figure 2.4: Mobile air defence radar system .............................................. 33
Figure 2.5: Crew members of a special purpose aircraft ....................... 35
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Chapter 1 –
Understanding air power
Executive summary
Air power is the total strength of a nation's capability to
conduct and influence activities in, through and from the
air to achieve its objectives.
Air power is one form of military contribution to an
integrated force. Those involved in its application must
have professional mastery across its theory and practice.
Airmindedness encapsulates how air power practitioners
apply their intellect, emotions, motivation and leadership
to air power.
Air power leverages technology to exploit the air domain
attributes of speed, range and altitude.
The characteristics of air power—agility, reach, persistence,
resilience and payload—provide a construct to assess and
appreciate the relative advantage, or limitations, of air
power in an operational context.
Introduction
1.1 Domain understanding forms a part of the basis for an
individual's Defence mastery and is assessed throughout their career.
The application of air power requires a foundational understanding
of air power theory, including that of the air domain and its
attributes, considerations for its use and the attendant characteristics
of air power.
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Operational context
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1.7 This publication, like air power itself, is one component of the
doctrinal foundation of an integrated force. This doctrine is an
important element of the practitioner's technical and Defence
mastery of military power, but it must be read in conjunction with all
other ADF doctrine. This is key to the multi-domain professional
mastery required of all ADF personnel underpinned by the ADF's
values and societal expectations (see ADF-P-0 Character in the
Profession of Arms, ADF-P-0 Culture, ADF-P-0 Military Ethics and
ADF-P-0 ADF Leadership).
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Airmindedness
1.10 People are the foundation upon which air power is built.
People decide how aspects of technology and force structure are
developed, employed, sustained and maintained. Airmindedness
encapsulates how air power practitioners apply their resources—
intellect, emotions, culture, motivation and leadership—to the
application of air power in an integrated force.
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Domains
air domain
The envelope of air surrounding the Earth, where density,
pressure, temperature, natural obstacles and weather
systems are the dominant environmental factors.
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Ubiquity
1.15 The air domain, by its nature, is ubiquitous: that is, it exists
over the entirety of the Earth’s surface through to the edge of space.
It can theoretically facilitate access between any two points on the
earth's surface via a path through the air.
Obstacles
1.16 While the air domain is ubiquitous, there are obstacles that
can impede flight operations. Natural terrain can impede travel from
one point to another, depending on the technological performance
of the aviation system. Temperature, pressure and air density
decrease with altitude, so can also create natural obstacles for crewed
flight which must be overcome by technology (eg life support
systems).
Boundaries
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Weather
1.20 Lightning, hail and icing can also have a catastrophic impact
on aircraft frames, electronic systems and aerodynamics. Weather
can, however, have some positive impacts on air power in certain
circumstances, such as using it to avoid detection or to increase
operational performance.
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Speed
Range
Altitude
1.24 Aviation systems can exploit the vertical dimension of the air
domain, theoretically up to the limit of the atmosphere. Altitude is,
however, also limited by the performance capabilities of the aviation
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Historical example
Exploiting the air domain on Mars
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Technological considerations
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Human considerations
Figure 1.9: Chief of Air Force and Warrant Officer - Air Force join
with local Air Force and indigenous members from the Wulgurukaba
Traditional Custodian Group to celebrate the opening of the Yarning
Circle at RAAF Base Townsville, June 2023
1.33 Gender. Air power practitioners are often the first contact the
ADF has with a host nation where the gender and cultural norms
within each society or cultural group may differ. Understanding the
dynamics of a population, through the consideration of specific
gender needs, influences, priorities, strengths and capacities within a
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Air power
air power
The total strength of a nation's capability to conduct and
influence activities in, through and from the air to achieve
its objectives.
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1.37 Air power has the capacity to ultimately project lethal force,
from the air, against the full range of adversary targets. However, air
power can also be employed, for example, to move people and
cargo, often being the initial face of the ADF in a humanitarian
assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operation, bringing the initial
life-saving stores to an affected nation.
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Figure 1.12: Linking the nature and attributes of the air domain to
the characteristics of air power
Agility
agility
The ability to move quickly and easily to react to changes
in the operational environment. Note: Agility encompasses
the ability to transition responsively and flexibly between
tasks.
1.40 Air power is inherently agile; that is, it has the potential to
react relatively quickly to changes, such as emerging objectives and
threats, in the operational environment. This includes changing from
one task to another potentially across multiple areas of operation
within, or even between, theatres. Some systems are also able to
prosecute different objectives at the same time. This agility, typically
a factor of technology and training, can allow a smaller force to carry
out a range of tasks that may otherwise require employing a number
of dedicated systems.
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Historical example
Australian Air Task Group deployment to Al Minhad airbase
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Reach
reach
The distance over which a military capability or system can
contribute to desired effects.
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Historical example
Mount Sinjar
The threat meant that air supply was the only viable option for
proving relief to the Yazidis. Only air power could reach them in
this environment and in the time frame required.
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Persistence
persistence
The ability of Defence elements to maintain an enduring
effect within an area of operations. Note: This can be by
the continued existence of the Defence element within the
area, or by the continuance of an effect through revisiting
the objective.
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Resilience
resilience
Adaptive capacity of an entity to resist being affected by a
risk event, to maintain vital functions and to return to
normal condition as rapidly as possible.
1.51 Aviation systems are very complex and designed with clear
and specific engineering requirements. Airborne platforms are usually
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Contemporary example
Human fragility in remote air operations
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Historical example
Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 2019-20
HMAS Adelaide anchored off the coast of Eden, and HMAS Choules
anchored off the coast of Mallacoota, also provided essential
basing support to both air and maritime assets to facilitate the
evacuation of residents cut off by the fires. ADF air assets were also
used for fire spotting and to increase the perspective of
commanders who flew over the affected areas.
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Payload
payload
The mission specific sensors, weapons, electronic warfare
systems, fuel, people and cargo that is carried, operated
and/or delivered by an aviation system.
1.57 While air power typically does not have the load-carrying
capacity of other military assets (eg a Navy ship), in some operational
contexts a smaller payload delivered responsively may better
contribute to the desired effects than a larger payload deployed later.
Air power may also be the preferred means of delivering personnel or
equipment to an objective area that is difficult, or dangerous, to
reach via land or sea.
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1.60 Air Force aviation will typically, but not exclusively, operate at
the theatre level, commanded through an air component whereas
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Navy and Army aviation will operate at a more tactical level, with
command delegated accordingly. For example, Navy aviation will
normally be an embedded element of a naval combatant and under
that combatant's command, while Army aviation will typically form as
an integral part of a combined arms team.
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Chapter 2 –
Generating air power
Executive summary
Air power contributions are generated in accordance with
Defence preparedness requirements.
Air power contributes to an integrated force through
control of the air; air mobility; air intelligence and ISR; strike
from the air; air command and control; airbase operations
and air power technical support.
Air power practitioners, as joint force planners, are key to
ensuring that the air power contributions are matched to
operational scenarios and structure of an integrated force.
Introduction
2.1 The Australian Defence Force (ADF) conducts campaigns and
operations only as an integrated force. This integrated force is
constructed by integrating those prepared ADF force elements,
identified and assigned during planning, that are specific to each
campaign and operation. Typically, this force will only represent a
portion of the ADF's total capabilities.
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2.4 Unlike other ADF force elements, air power does not
generally have sufficient assets or personnel to allow the dedicated
separation of the force into three areas—preparation, operations and
recuperation. Air power must, therefore, be meticulously managed to
ensure operations, training and other task priorities are met,
including any readiness and sustainment requirements.
2.6 Service chiefs are also responsible for any change of force
posture for allocated air power capabilities, ensuring equipment and
personnel are readied for the requirements of the projected
campaigns or operation tasks. This will include aviation systems,
aircrew, ground personnel and associated ground support. In some
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cases, this may require the increased level of airbase support services
gained through Defence or contracted providers.
2.8 The air power contributions framework (see Figure 2.2) forms
the management framework for the generation and preparedness of
air power, organising air power into its capability elements and
contributions.
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2.11 Air parity. Air parity is that degree of the control of the air
where freedom of manoeuvre in the maritime, land and air domains
is contested without clear advantage between the air power and air
defences of opposing forces. It is a situation in which both friendly
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Counter air
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2.16 While OCA can utilise capabilities from across all of the
domains, air power offers a principal advantage of being able to
engage the adversary's air assets well outside of the engagement
range of friendly forces. It is important to understand that this control
is not an end in itself; it is an enabler for integrated effects.
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2.19 Active air and missile defence. Active air and missile
defence (AMD) aims to suppress an adversary’s air power through
direct defensive action taken to destroy, nullify or reduce the
effectiveness of hostile air and missile threats against friendly forces
and assets. It includes the use of aircraft, surface-to-air missiles,
anti-aircraft artillery, electromagnetic warfare, sensors etc.
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Airborne operations
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Air-to-air refuelling
Aeromedical evacuation
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Air ISR
2.37 Planning air ISR operations requires the ability to pair the
sensor to target in order to ensure the effective use of available
resources. Ensuring the maximum exploitation of air ISR capabilities is
a specialist air intelligence function. It encompasses an understanding
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Air intelligence
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2.48 Close air support. Close air support (CAS) is an air activity
conducted against hostile targets that are in close proximity to
friendly forces and which require detailed integration with the fire
and movement of those forces. The aim of CAS is to neutralise or
disrupt an adversary who is engaged, or about to engage, with
friendly ground or amphibious forces. CAS complements land force
ground attack capabilities with significant firepower to coerce
adversary forces. Consequently, intensive air-land integration and
coordination is critical to accurately identify targets and minimise the
risk of fratricide. Close air support can be crucial to the success and
survival of land forces.
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2.49 Deep air support. Deep air support (DAS) encompasses air
actions against an adversary's targets at such a distance from friendly
forces that detailed integration of each mission with fire and
movement of friendly forces is not required. DAS consists of the
following:
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Strategic attack
2.51 In this context, strategic describes the effect, not the location,
distance to the target, type of weapon system or the delivery
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Figure 2.12: EA-18G Growler aircraft seen from the ramp of a C-17A
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2.57 EA from the air exploits air power's characteristics (eg agility
and precision) to apply effects to multiple targets in the battlespace
in quick succession (eg electronic warfare radar, communication
coordination of integrated air defence systems, surface-to-air target
tracking radar). Airborne EA integrated into an integrated force's
scheme of manoeuvre can increase own-force survivability and
lethality when coordinated with other force application methods.
2.59 Adequate access to, and the safe and efficient use of,
airspace is fundamental to ADF training, maintenance of
preparedness and conduct of operations. It continues across the
spectrum of competition and requires coordination between the
military and civilian agencies responsible for air traffic management.
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2.62 Joint airspace control cell. The joint airspace control cell
(JACC), located within the Air Operations Centre (AOC) at
Headquarters Joint Operations Command (HQJOC), performs the
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Personnel recovery
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airbase
A defined area containing an aerodrome and infrastructure
that supports air power activities.
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Airbase roles
2.78 Main base. A main base (MB) functions as the home base for
one or more operating units of a particular aircraft type. It will not
have the resident industry services necessary for deeper level
maintenance for home-based aircraft types.
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support facilities. A FOB will be in, or contiguous to, a joint force area
of operations.
Airbase functions
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2.93 For more detail on airbase roles and functions, see ADF-I-3
Airbase Operations.
Aviation medicine
Aviation safety
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2.102 Platform mission system data loads can be optimised for the
dynamic operational environment via deployed or reachback support
capability dependent upon the deployed footprint and
communications connectivity. JEWOSU, through the Australian
Airborne Countermeasures Team, can also develop countermeasures,
validate the performance of electronic warfare self-protection
systems and tactical responses for ADF aviation systems, and
provides operational commanders with advice on platform
survivability.
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Chapter 3 –
Integrating air power
Executive summary
The ADF operates as an integrated force, drawing upon the
prepared and sustained contributions of military power.
Aviation systems need to operate safely and effectively
with other military force elements, Defence and
non-Defence entities, and as part of an integrated force or
in partnered operations.
The level of integration achievable by air power is
ultimately underpinned by strategic-level decisions
regarding preparedness and capability investment.
People are a core component of an integrated force,
deciding how all aspects of technology and force structure
are developed, employed, sustained and maintained.
Introduction
3.1 The Australian Defence Force (ADF) operates as an integrated
force, drawing upon the prepared and sustained contributions of
military power. While capabilities are generated and managed within
a domain, an integrated force is multi-domain and all elements must
be designed to seamlessly work together for best effectiveness.
Integration framework
3.3 The degree of integration able to be achieved by air power is
ultimately determined by strategic-level decisions regarding
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Continuum of integration
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3.9 The people who build the social structures within Defence
and create the norms and values embody the foundation and
legitimacy of the ADF as an organisation. The role of people is a
powerful factor to consider when analysing the foundation of an
integrated force and its ability to employ air power.
Social mastery
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3.14 Air power practitioners may elect to develop niche skills that
directly support the success of ADF campaigns and operations. For
example, mastery of a second language can bring linguistic
capability, which enables effective communication with other nations.
Similarly, a specialist understanding of gender, peace and security
can assist the commander in focusing military missions by adapting
to the social context of the operating environment.
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Technical mastery
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Defence mastery
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3.23 The Air and Space Power Centre (ASPC), for example, directly
underpins Defence mastery for air power practitioners. Through the
development of ADF doctrine, the ASPC adds to the library of domain
understanding with products being embedded into training and
education throughout an individual's career. The Centre's
sponsorship of fellowships, both local and regional, and higher
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Service integration
3.25 While the Service's role is principally to generate and prepare
contributions to the joint force, it also carries out other directed tasks
and activities. Like the air power practitioner, the Services contribute
to a range of tasks that can shape the operational environment by
demonstrating Australia's air power capabilities, supporting
campaigns and operations, and furthering partner relationships.
However, achieving the Service's directed tasks draws from the same
limited set of aviation resources as operations and so these tasks
require balancing against operational priorities.
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Service exercises
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Historical example
Exercise PITCH BLACK
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Service activities
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air power events (eg air and space power conferences), personnel
exchanges and training programs.
Technical support
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Air-maritime integration
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3.41 The actual size and disposition of these elements will depend
upon the operation. Liaison positions provide a direct link between
applicable air and maritime headquarters to ensure the full planning,
integration and disclosure of any potentially conflicting tasks.
Air-land integration
3.46 Air power has an effect within the land domain, be it in direct
support (eg close air support) or at a distance from friendly forces
(eg strategic attack). Furthermore, air and land power coordinate
actions to effect the required level of control of the air. This may
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include the suppression of the adversary's air power and air defences
to facilitate the manoeuvre of land forces.
3.49 Army aviation liaison cell. Where Army aviation units are
operating within the joint force area of operations, an Army aviation
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liaison cell will collocate with the ASOC to ensure full coordination of
Army aviation activities with joint air and airspace operations. This
cell is responsible for ensuring that Army aviation missions are
managed through the air battle plan.
Air-space integration
3.54 Space power uses the air domain for the launch phase of
space operations, utilising both military and civil launch platforms.
This may include the launch of anti-satellite capabilities from the sea,
land or air. These launches are deliberately planned in advance and
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Air-cyber integration
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3.59 Cyber support to air power operations has the ability to not
only disrupt an adversary's information system but also feed it false
information, leaving it unclear to the adversary whether the system
has simply failed or is the subject of an attack. The key lies in
synchronising cyber and air attack. For example, inserting false tracks
into an air defence system could reduce the risk to air platforms while
causing the adversary to expend weapons ineffectively.
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Chapter 4 –
Employing air power
Executive summary
Effectively employed, air power forms a critical part of an
integrated force in delivering the Australian Defence Force
warfighting functions: command, situational
understanding, force generation and sustainment, force
projection, force protection and force application.
The agile operations approach for air power encompasses
a lethal and resilient combination of mobile forces
operating from fixed and contingency airbases.
Introduction
4.1 The employment of air power capabilities within an
integrated force will differ according to the nature of the campaign
or operation and the assets assigned. Air power will be planned and
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4.2 This last chapter will address the practice of employing air
power, as a part of an integrated force, utilising the air power
contributions. Applying the agile operations approach, it will discuss
the considerations and challenges for employing air power through
the Australian Defence Force warfighting functions (ADFWF).
Agile operations
4.3 In the contemporary operating environment, potential
adversaries are increasingly capable of projecting military power over
greater distances with mass, precision and speed. As a result, the
Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) airbases, which are typically large
and centralised physical structures with fixed and easily targetable
infrastructure, are no longer the sanctuaries for air power that the
nation has relied on since the end of the Second World War.
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Adaptive basing
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4.11 The airbase network design will remain fluid over the conduct
of the air campaign and may shift during different phases of that
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Agile manoeuvre
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Cross-skilled teams
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Command
command
The authority which a commander in the military Service
lawfully exercises over subordinates by virtue of rank or
assignment.
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air power, where assigned forces (eg aircraft and crews) can
dynamically switch between operations and Service activities,
potentially between missions. Command of air power is best
accomplished by a senior air power practitioner who
understands the range, and limitations, of air capabilities.
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a. Air staff. The air staff (eg A1, A3 etc) provide the enabling
functions and administration to support the JFACC’s
command responsibilities. The air staff for the theatre air
component are typically drawn from Air Command.
4.29 For more detail on the TACS, including the AOC and liaison
elements, see ADF-A(A)-0 Theatre Air Control System.
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4.30 The Australian air command and control system (ie TACS) is
purposefully aligned with that of our major coalition partners so as to
facilitate interoperability. This allows ADF air power commanders and
practitioners to contribute to a Coalition Air Operations Centre
(CAOC) often holding key command positions up to, and including,
that of the Coalition Forces Air Component Commander (CFACC).
Situational understanding
situational understanding
The accurate interpretation of a situation and the likely
actions of groups and individuals within it.
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Force generation
force generation
The process of providing suitably trained and equipped
forces, and their means of deployment, recovery and
sustainment to meet all current and potential future tasks,
within required readiness and preparation times.
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Sustainment
sustainment
The provision of personnel, logistics, and other support
required to maintain and prolong operations or combat
until successful accomplishment or revision of the mission
or of the national objective.
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Force projection
force projection
The ability to project the military element of national
power in response to requirements for military operations.
Note: Force projection extends from mobilisation and
deployment of forces to redeployment.
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Air mobility
4.47 The diverse contributions that air mobility can make result in
a small number of aviation systems being in very high demand. The
JFACC, through the AOC, will coordinate and prioritise air mobility to
meet not only campaign and operational objectives, but to also
provide support to other elements of Defence. For example, the
movement of aircraft spare parts into a theatre may fall outside of an
operation but may be critical to the sustainment of an integrated
force within that theatre.
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Air combat
4.53 Air combat forces deploy to prepared FOBs and COSs for
finite periods of time to conduct counter air missions and strike in
response to adversary maritime, land or air incursions into the joint
force area of operations. Once the necessary air missions are
complete and the objectives met, air combat forces redeploy to
MOBs and force projection teams return to their previous level of
readiness.
Force protection
force protection
All measures to counter threats and hazards to, and
minimise vulnerabilities of, the joint force in order to
preserve freedom of action and operational effectiveness.
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4.55 Air power is directly dependent upon basing which can offer
both opportunities and challenges driven by the nature and location
of the base. Main operating bases are large, fixed and targetable;
however, their static nature allows for more comprehensive ISR and
defensive systems, active and passive, to be installed. Conversely,
contingency operating sites rely on their short-duration and force
manoeuvre to mitigate against adversary threat. But using such
non-traditional infrastructure will introduce new hazards and may
reduce available risk treatments.
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services can deny the ability of an adversary to find, fix, track, target
and engage critical systems at airbases and operating locations.
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Manoeuvre
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Personnel recovery
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Force application
force application
Operational activity representing the conduct of military
missions to achieve decisive effects through kinetic and
non-kinetic offensive means.
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4.78 Air power capabilities are generally in high demand, with only
finite quantities available. Through a joint force commander
approved air apportionment decision, the JFACC ensures that the
priority of the air effort is consistent with the operational objectives.
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If our air forces are never used, they will have achieved
their finest goal.
General Nathan F Twining
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1957-1960
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Glossary
The source for approved Defence terms, definitions and
abbreviations is the Australian Defence Glossary (ADG), available on
the Defence Protected Environment at
http://adg.dpe.protected.mil.au/. Note: The ADG is updated
periodically and should be consulted to review any amendments to
the data in this glossary.
aerodrome
A defined area on land or water (including any buildings,
installations, and equipment) intended to be used either
wholly or in part for the arrival, departure and surface
movement of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft.
agility
The ability to move quickly and easily to react to changes in
the operational environment.
Note: Agility encompasses the ability to transition
responsively and flexibly between tasks.
air assault
Manoeuvre of forces (combat support, combat service
support and combat) in vertical lift aircraft as part of a
combined arms team under the command of an Air
Manoeuvre Force Commander.
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air domain
The envelope of air surrounding the Earth, where density,
pressure, temperature, natural obstacles and weather systems
are the dominant environmental factors.
air mobility
The ability to move personnel, materiel or forces using
airborne platforms.
air parity
That degree of the control of the air where freedom of
manoeuvre in the maritime, land and air domains is
contested without clear advantage between the air power
and air defences of opposing forces.
Note: It is a situation in which both friendly and adversary
land, maritime, and air operations may encounter significant
interference by the opposing air and missile capabilities.
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air power
The total strength of a nation’s capability to conduct and
influence activities in, through and from the air to achieve its
objectives.
air superiority
That degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over
another which permits the conduct of operations by the
former and its related land, sea and air forces at a given time
and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing
force.
air supremacy
That degree of the control of the air which permits freedom
of manoeuvre in the maritime, land and air domains by one
force over another without effective interference by air power
and air defences of the opposing force.
Notes:
1. Air supremacy cannot guarantee that an opposing force
will not inflict some damage or losses, particularly given the
extensive proliferation of small arms weapons and portable
air defences.
2. Air supremacy may be limited geographically or
temporally.
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airbase
A defined area containing an aerodrome and infrastructure
that supports air power activities.
airborne operations
An air activity conducted within an active theatre of
operations to deliver or extract combat ready forces and their
logistic support into or from a contested objective area.
Note: This may be achieved by airdrop or air land from
aircraft.
airmindedness
The sum of an individual’s depth and breadth of knowledge
and understanding of the characteristics and employment of
air power.
airspace control
The real-time or near real-time implementation of the
airspace management procedures governing airspace usage
in order to mitigate risk and enhance the flexible use of
airspace.
airspace management
The design, allocation, integration, and regulation of airspace,
including the application of airspace usage procedures to
ensure the airspace is appropriate for the mission or activity.
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attack operations
Offensive actions which are intended to destroy, disrupt, or
degrade counter air targets on the ground to prevent
adversary employment of air and missile capabilities.
Note: Attack operations is a subset of offensive counter air.
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counter air
Activities conducted to attain the degree of control of the air
that allows the joint force freedom of action and protection
from adversary air attack.
Defence mastery
The balanced and continual development in the fields of
cognitive abilities, profession of arms, and national security
policy and strategy.
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fighter escort
An offensive counter air operation providing dedicated
protection sorties by air-to-air capable fighters in support of
other offensive air and air support missions over an
adversary's territory, or in a defensive counter air mission to
protect high value airborne assets.
fighter sweep
An offensive mission by fighter aircraft to seek out and
destroy the adversary's aircraft or targets of opportunity in a
designated area.
flexibility
Capacity to dynamically change between multiple missions.
force application
Operational activity representing the conduct of military
missions to achieve decisive effects through kinetic and
non-kinetic offensive means.
force generation
The process of providing suitably trained and equipped
forces, and their means of deployment, recovery and
sustainment to meet all current and potential future tasks,
within required readiness and preparation times.
force projection
The ability to project the military element of national power
in response to requirements for military operations.
Note: Force projection extends from mobilisation and
deployment of forces to redeployment.
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force protection
All measures to counter threats and hazards to, and minimise
vulnerabilities of, the joint force in order to preserve freedom
of action and operational effectiveness.
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payload
The mission specific sensors, weapons, electronic warfare
systems, fuel, people and cargo that is carried, operated
and/or delivered by an aviation system.
persistence
The ability of Defence elements to maintain an enduring
effect within an area of operations.
Note: This can be by the continued existence of the Defence
element within the area, or by the continuance of an effect
through revisiting the objective.
personnel recovery
Measures to recover isolated personnel.
perspective
The greater field of view and extended horizon for
generating situational awareness attainable through the
altitude, speed, and range inherent within the air domain.
precision
The ability to employ lethal or non-lethal force and achieve
effects accurately, with discrimination and proportionality.
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preparedness
The sustainable capacity to apply capabilities to accomplish
Government-directed tasks.
Note: It describes the combined outcome of readiness and
sustainability.
professional mastery
The measure of the ability of Defence members to execute
their duties, encompassing:
a. their ability to perform these duties in a range of
circumstances;
b. their self-confidence to act autonomously despite risk and
ambiguity; and
c. their understanding of the purpose and consequences of
their actions.
Note: Incorporates the application of Defence, technical and
social mastery.
reach
The distance over which a military capability or system can
contribute to desired effects.
resilience
Adaptive capacity of an entity to resist being affected by a
risk event, to maintain vital functions and to return to normal
condition as rapidly as possible.
responsiveness
The synergy of speed, range and altitude that enables
contributions to desired effects relatively quickly.
situational understanding
The accurate interpretation of a situation and the likely
actions of groups and individuals within it.
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social mastery
The balanced and continual development of leadership,
ethics, character and cultural intelligence in order to
understand, influence and act in the best interests of our
mission and people.
strategic attack
An offensive air activity designed to employ air power to
create specific strategic effects that damage, neutralise or
destroy an adversary’s will, warfighting capabilities or any
other capacity opposed to one’s interests.
strike
An attack which is intended to inflict damage on, seize or
destroy an objective.
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sustainment
The provision of personnel, logistics, and other support
required to maintain and prolong operations or combat until
successful accomplishment or revision of the mission or of
the national objective.
technical mastery
The combination of an individual’s training, knowledge,
experience and skills that ensures their ability to carry out a
specific employment function with a high level of
competence.
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EA electronic attack
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MB main base
MOB main operating base
MSB main sustainment base
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