Chapter 3 Air Power

8/3/2019 Chapter 3 Air Power

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AIR POWER

Chapter 3

AIR POWER

Air power has become predominant, both as a deterrent to war,and in the eventuality of war as the devastating force to destroyan enemys potential and totally undermine his will to wage war.

Gen Omar Bradley

GENERAL

1. Air power, land power and sea power constitute the three components of

combat power. Air power is distinguished by its flexibility, speed, ubiquity, range

and shock effect. These characteristics give it a unique ability to concentrate force

and manoeuvre rapidly over long distances. Thus it is the only power that can

rapidly bring offensive and defensive action in the shortest time.

DEFINING AIR POWER

2. It has always been difficult to define the concept of air power. In the earlyyears of military aviation, air arms tended to be seen not as agencies for a

distinctive type of military force, but as auxiliaries to the ground and naval forces.

Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir John Slessor, argued that, "air power is a

compound of air forces and all those things on which air forces directly or

indirectly depend. Such as a flourishing aircraft industry and civilian aviation, a

good meteorological service, secure fuel supplies and so on. Today most air

power thinkers take a middle course and tend to treat air power as a purely military

concept.

3. Air power is thus defined as the ability to project military force in the

air by or from a platform or missile operating above the surface of the earth .

The means of exercising air power are many and include any system which can beused to wage war in the air: for example, manned and unmanned aircraft (fixed and

rotary wing), guided missiles, balloons and space vehicles.

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Air Power in World War II

COMPONENTS OF AIR POWER

4. The military capability can be described in terms of a conceptual, a moral

and a physical component. The concept of air power can be expressed as the

aggregate of these three components both in qualitative and quantitative terms, and

is illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 3.1 below.

T h e C o n c e p t o f A i r P

C O N C E P T U A L( T h e t h o u g h t

P r i n c i p l e s o f W a

A i r S t r a t e g y

M O R A L C O M( T h e w i l l t o f i

L e a d e r s h i p , M o

P H Y S I C A L C( T h e m e a n s t

M i l i t a r y A i r R e s o uD e f e n c e I n d u s t r i e

T R A I N I N G

A I R P O W( T h e a b i l i t y t o e x

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Figure 3.1: The Concept of Air Power


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5. The Conceptual Component. The conceptual component is the thought

process and teaching that underpin air power. The conceptual sources of air

power are the history of air campaigns and the lessons learned from them, the

principles of war, air power doctrine and air strategy. This knowledge acts as a

guide in the process of training and educating airmen, officers and current and

future commanders at all levels. This doctrine manual is part of that process.

6. The Moral Component. The moral component refer to the ability to getits people to fight. The three elements that merit consideration within the moral

component are Leadership, Morale and Core values.

a. Leadership. There has never been any doubt about leadership

being a war-winning factor. Inspirational leadership is one of the foremost

elements in raising and sustaining morale which has often proved to be a

decisive element in determining the outcome of military operations even

against the most overwhelming odds. Born leaders tend to be few, but a

good proportion of the art of leadership can be learned particularly from

the example of others. Successful leadership can take many forms and

styles both in the air and on the ground but invariably includes

professional mastery and moral courage.

b. Morale. Morale is a mental state but is very sensitive to material

conditions. It is based on a clear understanding of the aim, on training

and on discipline and is immediately responsive to effective leadership.

c. Core Values. Core values are the permanent foundations on

which the identity and purpose of an Armed Force are built, and can be

reflected as ethically based principles. They include recognisably military

virtues such as physical courage, total commitment, integrity and

service before self. Core values capture the very essence of what is

important to the service and those who serve within it, thereby

engendering justifiable pride. Although important at all times, they are

most valuable at times of extreme personal commitment when together

with leadership and training, they sustain and inspire personnel in

circumstances that might otherwise overwhelm them.

7. The Physical Component. The physical component represents the means

to fight and is bounded by the resources available to defence. The successful

exploitation of air power depends upon superior and timely intelligence

exploitation, a quicker decision/action cycle than that of the opponent and

flexible and capable forces that can offer the rapid and precise application of air

power across the spectrum of conflict. Combat air power must be supported by

robust and sustainable logistics. Holistically, it is the combination of civil, militaryand industrial resources to acquire combat effective platforms and weapons

systems in sufficient numbers which underpins the national means to exploit air

power. If the potential of air power is not to be wasted, command and control

considerations are extremely important.

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8. Training. Training, being an effective medium in inculcating thought and

knowledge is central to all activities. Through this method men are better

educated and informed on the way air power can best be exploited.

Training as shown in figure 3.1 is a process.

THE AIR ENVIRONMENT

9. Air consists of the entire expanse above the earth' s surface. Its lower

limit is the earth's surface (land or water), and its upper limit reaches towards

infinity. Air provides access to the earths entire surface. Unlike surface

environments, air has no natural boundaries. Nations do recognise political

boundaries in the atmosphere, but by convention, there are no such boundaries in

space. The air is a very different environment in which to fight than either the land

or the sea. Hence, air forces have quite different characteristics, strengths and

limitations from land and sea forces. Air power differs, as it possesses the ability

to exploit this third dimension, above the surface of the earth.

10. Even though this third dimension can be best exploited when considered as

an individual whole, it is felt that the nature of air and space still have theirdifferences and must be discussed separately. Although there is no absolute

boundary between them, there exist physical differences between the atmosphere

and space. While air power is primarily affected by aerodynamics, space

power is guided by the principles of orbital mechanics and is not limited by the

vertical extent of the atmosphere. Therefore, to conduct military activities in the

fourth dimension of space, different platforms and methods have to be employed.

Space platforms are not base dependent and do not incorporate the limitation of

impermanence, as do air platforms. Furthermore, air power is basically offensive in

nature, whereas activities in space have been confined to defensive functions like

intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, early warning, navigation,

communication and meteorological functions. Although some may argue that some

of these functions augment offensive actions, none of them bring weapons to bear

on the enemy.

11. Furthermore, the military use of space is constrained by international

treaties like the Outer Space Treaty of 1967. This treaty has four major

provisions: all countries have free access to space with liability for damaged

caused; space will be used for peaceful purposes; no weapons of mass destruction

will be placed in orbit around the Earth or on the Moon; all space objects must be

registered with the United Nations. Notwithstanding this, it is acknowledged that

space systems do offer an alternative and important source of enhancing the

effectiveness of air power when employed together with air platforms.

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CHARACTERISTICS OF AIR POWER

STRENGTHS

12. The distinguishing characteristic of air power is the exploitation of

controlled flight by air vehicles above the surface of the Earth. Air power offers a

unique ability to exploit the third dimension. As a result, air vehicles are faster and

generally have a greater reach than naval ships or land vehicles. Thus, height,speed and reach remain the primary strengths of air power. The military

advantages of elevation include enhanced observation and perspective of the battle-

space.

a. Height. This implies that the aircraft have the ability to operate

over a spectrum of height. The ability of aircraft to operate over a

spectrum of heights gives them the ability to observe and dominate

activities on the surface and below the sea. It allows direct fire to be used

against all of the enemy's forces, whether or not they are in the front line,

and it permits manoeuvre in three - rather than just two - dimensions, an

important factor in survivability.

b. Speed. The speed of aircraft allows rapid projection of military

power; greater speed allows missions to be accomplished quickly and a

larger number of tasks be completed within a given period. Implicit in the

characteristics is the notion of going anywhere and covering long

distances.

c. Reach. Air power possesses unrivalled reach or range, which

means that the air power has the ability to project military power over great

distances in any direction. Reach is important not only for striking at

distant targets and reaching isolated locations, but also forcircumventing

potential restrictions (example by routing flights around a country whichhas refused over-flight clearance).

d. Flexibility. Flexibility is the most quoted attribute of air power. It

is flexible in that the assets can be diverted quickly and effectively from

one task to another and from one target to another. It can perform wide

variety of actions, produce wide range of effects and be adapted with

comparative ease to meet changing circumstances or situations.

e. Ubiquity. The term ubiquity refers to the ability to counter or

pose simultaneous threats almost anywhere within the air and over the

surface. This attribute is also described as mobility and pervasiveness, and

implies the same sense of movement, unconstrained by physical barriers.Ubiquity, or pervasiveness allows air power to be employed in almost

every facet of warfare, either to enhance land power and/or sea power.

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f. Responsiveness. The characteristics of air power make it very

responsive to, and capable of, demonstrating a nations political intent.With its versatility, reach, speed and pervasiveness, air power is highly

responsive. As air power can be used quickly and at arms length from

population centres, it has an impersonal and remote quality that is

attractive to political use. Thus, air power can be used for an immediate

response or display of force. The mere presence of aircraft in a limited

capacity, such as regular surveillance patrols, may be sufficient.

Conversely, shock and concentration of firepower delivered by air power

convey a very definite message.

g. Concentration. Air power derives unique strengths and the main

one is the great ability to concentrate rapidly in time and space, which

derives from combination of flexibility, reach, responsiveness andswiftness of application. Rapid concentration of different air assets may

be possible, but they will not be effective in combat unless they are

instantly interoperable.

h. Shock. The sudden, destructive effect of the presence of air

power has always had a physical and psychological effect. The

combination gives rise to the shock effect of air power. The physical effect

is the noise of the aircraft, the apparently coming out of nowhere and the

concentration of firepower delivered. The psychological effect is the fear

of disproportionate vulnerability perceived by surface forces that have

been subjected to aerial warfare. Shock therefore, is most effective when

combined with the element of surprise.

i. Lethality. Any, target that can be located can be struck with a

precision guided munitions. The destructive power applied through air

dropped or air launched stand off munitions is effective against all but

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F/A-18F: Multi Role Combat Aircraft


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specially hardened targets constructed deep underground. And even these

may be susceptible to sensibly planned strikes against their support

systems, such as communications, power, or by using specifically designed

penetrating weapons. Currently, there is little on the earths surface, which

is not vulnerable in almost any conditions of visibility to air powers

lethality. Air power is also lethal in many other respects, namely: the

engagement of air targets beyond visual range; the pinpoint location of

targets through surveillance/reconnaissance; and, the destruction of sub-

surface targets.

LIMITATIONS

13. Air power has inherent limitations. These are relative rather than absolute

and need to be understood in that context.

a. Impermanence. In general, only sustained operations supported

by a large logistics effort are likely to achieve a substantial degree of

permanence. The enemy may bypass the damage altogether, adapt to the

change circumstances, or reconstruct, thus making the effects of any

damage transitory. Therefore, careful targeting to achieve the effect

desired for the length of time required is an important element of airpower. Impermanence can also be a consequence of the adverse influence

of weather and the constraints of aircraft endurance.

b. Limited Payloads. The payloads that can be carried by aircraft

are far more limited than those that can be carried by ships or land

vehicles. Thus, aircraft are most cost-effective when they are used for

tasks that give high-value pay-offs. This applies equally to combat and

combat support tasks, such as transportation. While relatively small

payloads carried are a disadvantage, they can be compensated for by the

high sortie rate conferred by an aircraft's speed and by the lethality and

precision of modern air-to-surface munitions. Moreover, a small payload

deployed quickly may be of far more value in stabilizing a critical situation

than one many times its size that is deployed later.

c. Vulnerability. Air power is relatively vulnerable in the air and on

the ground. In the air, risks from enemy air weapons and surface based

defensive systems are apparent, since they carry little or no armour

protection. On the ground, the general concentration of aircraft and

associated support facilities at focal points makes air power a high value

target for an adversarys air and ground forces. Attrition of air assets,

consisting of losses from battle and accidents in operations are inevitable

but should be minimized.

d. Cost. Air power can deliver enormous firepower and combat

support, but it does so at a cost. It is expensive to acquire, operate and

maintain. Successful surge capability and replacement of assets require

considerable resources and skills as well as increases in absolute cost.

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Modern technology is expensive, not only in terms of acquisition cost,

but also in terms of costs associated with through-life logistics support and

long training times. The costs of air power are not absolute but need to be

assessed in terms of relative benefit-cost.

e. Base Dependence. The biggest limitation of air power is its

dependence on air bases, be they fixed, or mobile as in the case of aircraft

carriers. Air power generally operates most effectively from permanent

bases. The essence of the air base is that it is an operational entityconsisting of supporting systems and personnel. Thus, the prepared base

is likely to be the centre of gravity of all air power . Attacking this

centre of gravity can be the immediate means of rendering air power

ineffective. Without a secure base from which to operate, air power assets

may be unable to influence a battle. Making bases secure is difficult, time-

consuming and expensive undertaking. In every case, there is a

dependence on the air bases as an integral support system and springboard

for the generation of air power.

f. Political Restraint. The application of air power tends to

attract a high level of political interest because it provides a readily

available and responsive instrument of political will. The result has beenthe occasional direct control of this `convenient display of military power

by political leaders. In such circumstances, the military effectiveness of an

operation can be diminished by political interference. It is the

commanders job to advise accordingly, and then proceed as directed by

the government.

APPLICATION OF AIR POWER

14. The distinct and specific characteristics of air power lead in turn to distinct

and specific applications. Growing effectiveness has tended progressively to

widen air power applications, and air power today can offer decision makers a wide

range of options to prosecute defence and security policies (figure 3.2). Such

options begin long before the shooting starts and make air power an important

instrument for preserving peace and managing crises, as it is for waging war.

15. Preserving Peace. Air power can be used to help preserve and

strengthen international security, by promoting good international

relations and providing reassurance to nations that they are not under

threat of attack:

a. Promoting International Relations. When disaster strikes inwhatever form, speed of response is vital, and the speed of air power

helps it to play a key part in alleviating suffering. Military transport

aircraft are uniquely capable of delivering rapid relief during the critical

early stages of natural disasters. The potential security benefits of such

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high-visibility operations are obvious: they generate a spirit of goodwill,

help to remove suspicion, alleviate grievances and thus promote

stability and security.

b. Providing Reassurance. Air power can also be used to help

avert threats to peace, both real and imagined. By exploiting the third

dimension for surveillance purposes, it can provide assurance that a

potential antagonist is not about to attack. It can, in addition, be used to

verify arms control agreements and play an important part in furtheringconfidence and security building measures. While satellite surveillance

systems offer expanding contributions, the capabilities, flexibility and

unpredictability of airborne systems continue to make a unique

contribution in this field.

16. Managing International Crises. Air power can play a major part in

managing crises. In times of increasing international tension, air power is an ideal

instrument for international crisis management, most of which involve no

recourse to violence.

a. Warning. Air power can be used to give prior and timely

warningof anintended aggression and thus allow appropriate preventiveactions to be taken. The detection of Soviet ballistic missiles in Cuba in

1962 by American U-2 aircraft allowed the United States to impose a naval

'quarantine' of the island, a measure that led to the removal of this potential

threat. Since then capabilities have grown markedly and despite the advent

of reconnaissance satellites, airborne systems continue to provide unique

surveillance capabilities. Advanced airborne surveillance systems can

provide enormous quantities of detailed data on the actions of potential

aggressors.

b. Signalling. Air power can also be used to send clear political

signals. These can help to remove uncertainty over intentions and thus

reduce what is arguably the greatest danger in any crisis: miscalculation.

Air power can do this by an overt increase in readiness states,

intensified peacetime training exercises or presence flights.

c. Supporting Friends. Air power can provide timely moral and

physical support for allies and friends, thus strengthening their resolve in

times of tension. The Berlin Airlift of 1948 demonstrated the capability

and will of the Western powers to provide support for a threatened friend

and as such had lasting and worldwide ramifications.

d. International Rescue. The use of air power to mount rescue

operations in crisis situations has a long history; an example is the rescueof passengers and crew of the hijacked aircraft by the Israelis in Entebbe,

Uganda. However, such operations -- because they require large and

vulnerable aircraft to fly over potentially hostile territory -- tend to involve

high risks and demand the most careful preparations.

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e. Inject Stability. Air power can also be used to inject air or land

forces to improve stability in a region threatened with civil strife or in

areas where regional conflict threatens to spill over into neighbouring

states. For example, the rapid airlift of French and Belgian troops into

Zaire in September 1991 helped to bring stability into a situation of

increasing communal violence.

f. Implicit Deterrence. Perhaps the best-known application of air power in crisis management is to deter aggression, and this can be

achieved in a number of ways. At the lowest end of the deterrent scale, the

deployment of reconnaissance or surveillance aircraft can in addition to

providing information, have a salutary deterrent effect on a potential

aggressor. They can be used to warn him that his actions are being

watched and could provoke a response. Because such specialist

surveillance aircraft have wartime as well as peacetime functions, they can

be invaluable in enhancing the fighting power of regional forces and/or

preparing the ground for out-of-region reinforcements. In this context they

play a key role in

ensuring the continuity of crisis management options between 'implicit' and

'explicit' deterrence.

g. Explicit Deterrence. The proven ability to exact rapid retribution,

strike deep into unfriendly territory and deny the potential aggressor the

assurance that his homeland can be kept safe from attack is by any measure

a strong and explicit deterrent. It is one, which can be effective right

across the spectrum of potential aggression. At the higher end of the scale,

air power can deter invasion forces. Operation Desert Shield the

deployment of coalition air power to Saudi Arabia after Iraqi invasion of

Kuwait in 1990 is an example. In many such situations air power will

often be the only instrument, which has the requisite speed, reach, and

striking power to deter aggression.

h. Non-Lethal Coercion. Air power can be used not merely to deter

aggression, but also to 'face down' a potential or actual aggressor

without resort to physical violence. The rapid deployment of US air

power to Korea in 1976 as response to the killing of two US soldiers in the

Korean Demilitarised Zone is an example. The implicit threat was clear

and the North Korean quickly offered a formal apology.

i. Punishment. If necessary, non-lethal coercion can be taken one

step further and air power used for precise punishment operations, short of

full-blown war. Moreover, punishment operations are reactive rather than

proactive and depend for their success on surprise. Hence, they are usuallyplanned at short notice on a 'one-off' basis; there is little opportunity for

practice and much scope for error.

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Applications of Air Power

Situation Application Examples

Peace Promoting International

Relations

Disaster Relief

Providing Reassurance ObservationCrisis Warning Observation and Reporting

Signalling Demonstration Flight

Providing support Re-supply and Redeployment

Rescue Evacuation

Injecting Stability Force Insertion

Implicit Deterrence Redeployment, Surveillance

Explicit Deterrence Increased Readiness,

Overt Demonstration Flights

Non-Lethal Coercion Implicit and Explicit Threat

Punishment Selective attacks

War Observation Reconnaissance

Destruction Attacks to destroy

Lethal Coercion Attacks to coerce

Denial or Containment Holding actions

Dislocation Consequential effect

Delay Consequential effect

Diversion Consequential effect

Demoralisation Consequential effect

Figure 3.2: The Applications of Air Power

17. Wartime Applications. Should crisis management measures fail, and

crisis degenerate into armed conflict, then air power can make a decisivecontribution to prosecuting operations with relatively minimum loss of life. The

unique ability of air power to concentrate military power in time and space when

and where it is needed has in recent years become perhaps the dominant feature

of contemporary high-intensity conflict. Here again, air power offers decision-

makers a wide range of options. These include:

a. Observation. In war, observation of the enemy provides the basis

for intelligence planning and successful execution of military

operations. Air power's unique ability to exploit the third dimension

allows it to make a major contribution to monitoring enemy activities and

deployments and thus discovering his intentions. Aerial reconnaissance

was the first use of military aviation.

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b. Destruction. Air power's most obvious wartime application is its

ability to destroy. The ability to concentrate firepower, when combined

with the direct fire inherent in the nature of aerial attacks, confers on air

power enormous potential destructive power. It is not only destruction

but also the consequential effects of air power's destructive capacity

that gives air power a true war-winning potential.

c. Lethal Coercion. The ability of air power to reach deep into

enemy territory at any time and attack the full spectrum of target setsallows air power to be used to coerce an enemy during a conflict. Any

state which faces an opponent with strong air power has to accept the

possibility that opponent can escalate the scale or scope of the conflict

rapidly and at will by extending the intensity and scope of his attacks.

d. Denial. Air power can also be use to deny an enemy the ability

to employ his air, surface and sub-surface forces effectively. The most

prominent example of an air-to-air denial battle is the Battle of Britain,

where air forces were the only practicable means open to Britain of

denying the enemy the opportunity to launch a potentially war-winning

invasion against the United Kingdom.

e. Dislocation. The capacity of air power to inflict dislocation is a

key quality. Even if an aircraft fails to destroy its target, the impact on

morale of a near miss or of collateral damage may still cause the

enemy major mental, moral and physical dislocation. Dislocation

causes delay and confusion, and it breaks up unit cohesion . It also

makes the enemy far more vulnerable to follow-up attacks by all types of

forces.

f. Diversion. Air power can be used to divert enemy forces in

order either to delay or destroy them. At the military-strategic and

operational levels of war, diversion can be achieved by concentrating

attacks against sensitive target sets, compelling an enemy to divert forces

and resources from offensive into defensive duties. At the tactical level,

air power can achieve diversion by selectively attacking choke points such

as bridges etc. This can either delay the arrival of enemy surface forces or

channel their movement into areas where they can more easily be

contained or destroyed.

g. Delay. The effects of dislocation, destruction or diversion can

in turn create delay, another important wartime effect of air power. In

defensive situations, imposing delays on the enemy allows friendly forces

to deal more effectively with an attack, either by strengthening defences or

by launching spoiling attacks. In offensive situations it allows friendlyforces to prevent the enemy's escape.

h. Demoralisation. One of the important effects that air power can

create is demoralisation, because demoralisation is a factor, which

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pervades all aspects of combat capability. Air attack has always had a

particularly sapping effect on morale, almost irrespective of the damage

inflicted.

LEVELS OF AIR OPERATIONS

18. Air power would rarely be used in isolation during a joint or a

multinational campaign. The use of air assets would always be directed towardsthe political end-state, which the campaign was designed to achieve. However, in

the course of that campaign, air power could be used in three different ways:

a. Concurrent Operations. Parallel operations conducted by air

power at different levels of war at the same time.

b. Simultaneous Operations. Operations coordinated with the

manoeuvre of surface forces involved with joint or multinational

operations.

c. Independent Operations. Operations are purely dependent on air

assets. Air operations may be distinct from theatre level operations but insupport of the strategic aim or end-state.

CENTRES OF GRAVITY AND TARGETING

19. Definition of Centre of Gravity (COG). The term 'Centre of Gravity'

describes a point of crucial vulnerability against which a successful attack is

likely to be decisive. Clausewitz called the centre of gravity (the schwerpunkt)the'hub of all power and movement'. COGs are therefore defined as those

characteristics, capabilities, or localities from which a military force, nation, or

alliance derives its freedom of action, physical strength, or will to fight at that level

of conflict. A COG describes the central feature(s) of enemy systems or power

that, if defeated, may have the most decisive result.

20. Identifying Centres of Gravity. A critical part of strategy development is

the identification of COGs that can be attacked or disrupted to achieve theater

strategic and operational objectives. The central focus of a force is its centre of

gravity. The concept of centre of gravity applies at the national level and concerns

the application of combat power against an adversary. Air power is best applied

when matched offensively against an adversary's centres whilst defending its

own centres of gravity. Thus, one of the most important responsibilities of a

commander is to identify his own centres of gravity, so that they can be best

protected, and those of the enemy, so that he can concentrate his forces againstthem.

a. Enemy Centres of Gravity. The air force must be able to

determine at any particular time an adversary's centres of gravity. Enemy

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centres of gravity fall into two categories: accessible and ultimate. A

commander must first identify the ultimate centres of gravity and then, if

he has neither the resources nor the authorisation to act against them,

identify accessible centres of gravity. Two vital aspects must also be

resolved. Firstly, is the use of air power appropriate against that particular

centre in order to defeat it? Secondly, if air power is appropriate, what is

the best method of applying air power against it? A commander must avoid

distributing his forces equally (or, conceivably, at all) between all centres

of gravity and should not assume that an enemy action demands a reactionin kind. Instead, he must focus on the nature and objective of the war, and

the nature of the enemy; these will determine the enemy centre of gravity

against which his attacks should be concentrated. When and if air power is

considered appropriate, the air force must ensure that its offensive

capability hits at vital centres. Most air forces have limited capacity to

sustain operations and are vulnerable to attrition. Since the first offensive

initiative may be the only opportunity for them, attacking the correct centre

is critical.

Hawk 108 with 2 x Mk. 82 LDGP bombs

b. Own Centres of Gravity. The same formula for identifying

enemy centres of gravity must be applied equally to friendly centres of

gravity (either national or Alliance). Once identified, friendly centres of

gravity must be protected as far as possible and their vulnerability

reduced. Plans to minimize the effect of successful attacks on such targets

should also be formulated.

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21. Targeting. As air power assets become more versatile and multi-role, the

same platforms could well be used for missions with strategic effects as in strategic

attack or close air support (CAS). Weapon systems will vary according to target

sets, but it is highly likely that delivery platforms will be in short supply.

Therefore in a joint or combined environment, strategic missions may need to be

justified alongside other priorities within a theatre of operations. The key for

commanders and planners alike is the selection of the correct strategic centre of

gravity via campaign planning tools and air appreciations. Another very important

aspect to note is that targeting must be accompanied by timely and accurateintelligence. The air commander can plan to attack COGs directly, indirectly, or

combinations of both. Political considerations, projected loss rates, laws of armed

conflict considerations, available forces, etc., may make direct attacks on the COG

unfeasible, thus forcing indirect methods. As the name implies, direct attack

involves physically attacking a COG or engaging it in decisive combat. Indirect

attack, on the other hand, results in the same or similar effects on a COG through

attack of its supporting infrastructure and related elements. COG analysis

ultimately leads to the identification of vital target sets within the individual COGs.

Vital targets are those that, if successfully attacked, will have the greatest adverse

effects on the enemy COGs at the operational and strategic levels of war. It is

important to also note that analysis must always begin with national policy and

military objectives, and include assessment of ongoing operations to determineif the COG(s) should be adjusted as the operation progresses . Targeting

based on knowledge of the enemys war-fighting and value systems is critical.

Air power should not be wasted on inappropriate targets rather to attack vital

points of the enemy.

AIR STRATEGY

22. Definition. Air strategy is defined as the overall employment plan for

air forces in a war.

23. Structure. Air power, due to its unique characteristics, has very wide

potential military strategic applications. This fall essentially into four broad roles

of which are described below. Figure 3.3 describe the hierarchy of air power and

Figure 3.4 provides some examples of the roles, operations, missions and tasks.

a. Counter Air Role. Counter air action is defined as the use of air

power to deter, contain or defeat the enemy air forces . The strategic

aim of counter air action is to achieve the desired degree of control of the

air.

b. Force Application Role. Force Application Role brings air power

to bear directly against surface targets. It involves the independent usedof air power to achieve national policy objectives. It also involves the

use of air power, in cooperation with friendly surface and sub-surface

forces to deter, contain or defeat the enemys army and/or navy. The

strategic aim of force application action is to deprive an enemy of the

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AIR POWER

military power needed to occupy territory or exploit sea space and to

undermine the enemys ability and will to continue with his aggression.

c. Force Enhancement Role. Force Enhancement actions are to

increase the ability of air and surface forces to perform their missions.

d. Force Sustenance Role. Force Sustenance encompasses all

actions taken to sustain our ability to conduct operations successfully .

It is essential to sustain the force to the necessary level and duration for itsoperations to achieve its assigned objectives.

Examples of Air Power Roles, Operations, Missions and Tasks

32

Hierarchy of Air Power

SORTIES

(One flight by one aircraft)

TASKS

MISSIONS

OPERATIONS

ROLES

AIR

STRATEGY

Figure 3.32: Hierarchy of Air Power


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AIR POWER

ROLES OPERATIONS MISSIONS TASKS

COUNTER AIR

OCA

Airfield Attack

To attackAircraft on ground,

Ammo and Fuel dump, C4I,Airfield facilities.

Fighter SweepSeek and destroy airborneaircraft,

SEAD

Destroy, neutralise, and

degrade Radars and early

warning systems, SAMs,AAA.

DCA

GAIIntercept, Identify, Shadow,

Intervene and/or Force down,or Engage enemy aircraft.

CAP

Escorts Protect FGA aircraft or

HVAA.

FORCE

APPLICATION

STRATEGICATTACK

To destroy,

neutralise, degradeor disrupt;

COG and Vitalpoints.

Destroy, neutralise and

degrade, HQ, key industries,and fielded forces and

infrastructures.

INTERDICTION

To destroy,neutralise,

degrade, disrupt ordelay: LOC, War

sustaining andmilitary potentialbeyond the

battlefield.

Destroy, degrade, delaysupply depot, HQ.

OFFENSIVE AIRSUPPORT (OAS)

BAI Destroy, neutralise or delayland forces, LOC, war

machines, bridges.CAS

MARITIME AIROPERATIONS

(MAO)

ASuW Detect, identify, neutralise,destroy, ships, mine laying,

ASW Detect, locate, track,

submarine, mine laying.ARMED RECCE

Opportunitytargets within the

battlefield.

Locating and attackingpersonnel, material and

facilities.

FORCE

ENHANCEMENT

AIRLIFT

Scheduled

services.

Movement of personnel and

supplies.

Airborne

operations.

Airdrop of personnel or

cargo.

Air logistic

support.

Distribute or recover

personnel and materiel.

Special air

operations.

Insertion and extraction of

special forces, leaflet drop,voice broadcast.

Aero-medicalevacuation.

MEDEVAC, CASEVAC,BODEVAC.

ROLES OPERATIONS MISSIONS TASKS

AIR-TO-AIRTowline AARmissions.

Provide air-to-air refuelling.

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AIR POWER

FORCE

SUSTENANCE

BASE SUPPORTOPS

MaterialSupply, R&D, clothing,

refuelling, ammunitiontransportation, rations.

MaintenanceServicing, repair, testing,salvage, refurbish,

manufacture.

Administration

Organising, Planning,

Finance, Religious andMedical services, Welfare

Discipline, Law and order

and Accommodation.

LOGISTICSOPERATIONS

MaterialAcquisition, Movement,Distribution, Storage,Maintenance, Disposition.

Personnel Movement, Evacuation,

Medical care.

FacilitiesAcquisition, Construction,

Maintenance, Disposition,Operation.

Services Acquisition or Furnishing.

CSARSearch, Locate and

Rescue.

Downed Aircrew or

Distressed personnel.

Figure 3.4: Examples of Air Power Roles, Operations, Missions and Tasks

C-130H Work Horse of the RMAFDOCTRINAL GUIDANCE

24. Air power is a very complex business and all commanders should becertain that they have adequate levels of professional advice to guide its

employment. Every commander in making decision must have an acute

understanding of air power's strengths and limitations. This applies at all

levels of war and to all commanders - joint, air, land and sea. For instance:

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AIR POWER

a. Strategically, it uses air power's superior reach, responsiveness

and lethality to exploit the uncertainty of asymmetric response, and to

strike directly at vital points, achieve strategic surprise and/or shock,

and confound the enemy's situational awareness.

b. Operationally, it attains military objectives using air power's

versatility, reach, concentration, penetration and lethality, rather than

undertaking an attrition campaign. Air power may also permit the conductof concurrent operations and campaigns.

c. Tactically, it exploits the element of surprise by dynamic

leadership, high quality crews, innovative tactics, deception and speed of

manoeuvre.

25. The effectiveness of air power is directly proportional to situational

awareness. Situational awareness is observation -- orientation that has strategic,

operational and tactical dimensions, as such:

a. Strategically, situational awareness is strategic warning; that is,

effective situational awareness will provide timely warning of potentialthreats to national security.

b. Operationally, situational awareness gives a commander

knowledge dominance in an area of operations.

c. Tactically, situational awareness enables a person to dictate

activities in the battle space.

Air power is like poker. A second best hand is like none at all

it will cost you dough and win you nothing.

General George Kenney, USAF

36

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Chapter 3 Air Power

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