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Air Power What a Commander Needs to Know. Flt Lt Cliff Fletcher-Jones BA MA RAF Air and Space Battle Manager 1 st (UK) Armoured Division. UNCLASSIFED. What this class is and isn’t. This class is aimed at the tactical Commander and his planning staff.
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Air Power What a Commander Needs to Know Flt Lt Cliff Fletcher-Jones BA MA RAF Air and Space Battle Manager 1st (UK) Armoured Division UNCLASSIFED
What this class is and isn’t • This class is aimed at the tactical Commander and his planning staff. • Its purpose is to highlight some of the planning considerations and questions that the tactical Commander may wish to ask when carrying out his planning processes. • This is not a class on how to manage or command the air battle • This is not a class on how to carry out functional battlespace management.
Content • Battlespace Management • Who owns the airspace and how do I get access to it? • The initial operationbattlespaceconditions • The limitations • Air Power • What is available to me and how do I access it to support my mission. • Fixed Wing missions I may encounter in support of my mission. • What is the process to request this air power support.
The BattlespaceWho owns the airspace and how do I get access to it? • The 3D Battlespace above the surface of a Tactical Commander’s Area of Operations is owned by the Joint Force Commander – and usually delegated to an Air Component Commander to manage on his behalf. • To allow a degree of freedom of effect for the tactical Commander – the initial Force Instruction Document from higher HQ will usually assign a low level portion of airspace (SFC-3500ft) to the tactical Commander.
The BattlespaceHow do I make this situation better for me? • The tactical Commander needs to liaise early with his Air team to negotiate with the Joint Force Air Component Commander what level of Airspace control he requires to carry out his mission. • The key variable that the tactical Commander will need to consider is: “what do I want to do? vs what can I realistically achieve?” • There is no benefit in asking to control airspace from Surface – 20 000 ft if you have no way of managing or controlling it.
The BattlespaceHow do I get access to it? Best practice Tips • Utilise your Air Staff • Early liaison with Joint Force Air Component Command • Be realistic on what you have the ability to control/affect • Be aware that battlespace above ground level is not owned by the tactical Commander but is controlled at the highest level. • Airspace can, and is, easily and quickly delegated to the appropriate level to ensure mission success.
Air Power MissionsWhat Air Power missions are likely to support my Ground Mission? • Close Air Support • Air power assets in direct support of, and where where air power effects are likely to be, in close proximity to Troops on the ground. • Show of Presence (Air power for Psychological effect) • Show of Force (Air power for Psychological effect) • Air to Surface Fires (Air power for Kinnetic effect) • Armed Overwatch/ Armed Recce • Non-Traditional ISR
Air Power MissionsHow do I request Air Power? • Air Missions are requested through the Joint Tactical Attack Request (JTAR) process. • Can be initiated from Coy level upwards by JTACs/ALO/Air staff