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INTRODUCTION
Thank you very much for this most generous introduction
First of all, allow me to thank General T. Michael Mosley, U.S.
Air Force Chief of Staff, for his kind invitation to participate
in this seminar and for inviting the Chilean Air Force to share
its experiences on maximizing synergy with limited resources.
I am convinced that all of us, share not only the blue color of
our uniforms but also the will to face the future in order to
take, today, the right decisions for tomorrow`s air force.
I hope that the ideas I will mention, are some of the factors
that constitute the bond that will allow our air forces to share
common interests and become good partners in the future.
I will be talking on “NICHE CAPABILITY IDENTIFICATION: MAXIMIZING
SYNERGY WITH LIMITED RESOURCES”
During my presentation I will be touching on the following points;
I.- Some generalities on Chile
II.- Synergy niches for combined operations between different
air forces
III.- Conclusion
Let us go to the first point
II.-
SOME GENERALITIES ON CHILE
I
think it will be useful to provide you with some information about
our region and of our air force. This will help you to understand
the proposals that will be formulated later.
Chile is part of the South American region. Therefore, its historical,
political, economical and social development is linked with other
countries of the region.
South America is a subcontinent that was not affected by the many
different wars that the world had during the 20th century. However,
wars and conflicts, mainly related to territorial disputes, erupted
between neighboring states. Today that situation is different
and many of these territorial disputes are being solved by diplomatic
means. We think this is good news and this approach will prevail
in the future.
Chile is an emerging country, with a consolidated democratic system
and with a surging economy, open to world trade, highly participative
in terms of globalization and aimed sooner than later, to reach
the GNP and the living standards of developed nations.
It is within this frame that the Chilean Air Force has evolved
towards capabilities that are directly related to the political,
economical and social attitude of our country, promoting cooperation
for peace and integration.
Thus said, next I would like to share with you some ideas based
in our experience and doctrine on airpower, and the way we look
at the world’s leading air forces.
III.- SYNERGY NICHES FOR COMBINED OPERATIONS BETWEEN DIFFERENT
AIR FORCES
Let me tell you that when talking of synergy niches and
of combined operations I`ll be referring to the use of “common
factors and common air capacities” of air forces of different
sizes and of different levels of technology. Therefore, all my
opinions are aimed in achieving integration through doctrinal
understanding, common procedures and common organizational concepts,
while allowing national environments and differences.
Perhaps, what I am going to say next is nothing new to this audience.
Nonetheless, it is something that needs “to be freshened
up” from time to time, in order to maintain a healthy empathy
between air forces with different technological levels. The following
ideas are part of that purpose:
A.-
Airpower common doctrine, concepts and definitions
In
a meeting like this, when talking of airpower it would look as
all and every one of us share the same vision and understanding.
I am afraid, that it is not so.
Let me explain.
I guess that we all agree that airpower is a capacity, vital and
decisive at the moment of facing a crisis, conflict or emergency.
We also agree that airpower is a powerful tool at the moment of
dissuading those attempting to disrupt world peace or when bringing
relief to a troubled region.
Apart from that, the truth is that when trying to provide a measurable
dimension to the concept of airpower we may find some slight and
legitimate differences between those who consider airpower as
only to be military power and those who consider that airpower
is the total “aeronautical capacity” in their respective
states.
This diversity in opinions is perhaps the core discussion for
all of us in order to come to a truly common understanding of
airpower in term what it is, and what it is not.
The
discussion I am talking about should provide answers to questions
as the following:
-
Is airpower, as a concept, a capacity related only to the earth
atmosphere or does it project to the space segment?
- Is airpower, as a concept, only related to the exercise of military
power or doest it include non military components such as civil
aviation, aerospace industry and nation`s aerospace conscience?
- Does airpower, as a concept, exist only if there it is an independent
air force or is airpower the sum of air force and other force’s
air assets?
- Does airpower exists when an air forces only has got aircraft
without any lethal capability, ?
- Whether in control of the air force or not, are surface to surface
missiles to be considered as a component of airpower?
All those questions just pretend to highlight the importance of
a homogenous understanding to achieve synergy in future interoperability
between our air forces.
B.- Adoption of a common and proven planning system
According to our experience, another key issue for interoperability
is the adoption of standarized planning methods.
I am proud to tell you that our air force, with the use of standard
technology and local enginering, moved from 2nd world war style
command posts to a very modern planning and control system, tailored
to our local needs.
However, at the very first moment we became part of international
operations, we did realize that we had a good system, tailored
to our own requirements, but not suited for interaction with air
forces with more operational experience than ours.
The solution was simple and rapidly found. To adapt proven planning
systems in use by the world`s leading air forces.
Therefore, it is our opinion that this is one of the most convenient
steps to be adopted in order to facilitate integration between
different air forces and obtaining synergy despite differences
in resources and technology.
C.-
Adoption of a common language and standardized vocabulary
In South America we share the roots of a common language
and this allows us to understand each other, without problems,
when resorting to hi-level language.
But that is when located in a friendly environment. What would
happen during combined operations, in hostile territories and
with the participants trying to cope with different accents and
slangs I still remember, when as a junior lieutenant, I was surprised
at the british speaking of “undercarriage” while the
american used the term “landing gear”. Both were supposed
to be spoken in “plain english”.
The solution to this is not new and it is within our reach. It
is in the ICAO procedures for civil aviation and it is in NATO
procedures. In south America in our exercises, we have adopted
the NATO standards for language and terminology. We have practiced
this language and terminology during our exercises, with excellent
results. It is really funny to meet all your Spanish speaking
colleagues and to find that every one is trying to do its best
in English to understand each other. Our accents maybe not as
good as our british colleages But it works.
So, by our own experience this is another approach to obtain synergy
in combined operations.
D.-
Command and Control systems compatible with those of friendly
air forces
This
idea is directly related with the technological development reached
by different air forces. Its corollary is simple: Any future development
in Command and Control capabilities should consider the hardware
and software “provisions for” as to allow or facilitate
integration with the systems in use by the leading air forces.
It is not a matter of huge investments, nor is it a commitment
to achieve technological parity.
It is just the provisions for a direct interphase or for the integration
of a new module to the actual systemic architecture. Thus and
when needed, we will have a real integration in the areas agreed
upon between states. And this will be also a synergetic move.
E.-
Availability of a compatible information network (ISTAR), thus
providing a common cyberspace for combined air operations.
This
is a more complex step that requires deep analysis and a budgetary
effort. The first move in
this
direction implies that every one involved
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must be convinced of the convenience of replacing linear action
schemes by a more flexible matrix scheme.
We have taken steps in order to replace our linear planning and
to add more technology to our command and control system. It is
not an easy task and we predict positive results in a time frame
of some five years from now.
According to our experience, and I must emphasize this, the more
difficult task is to understand how this process will optimize
the management of air power capabilities. One immediate effect
of this improvement will be the minimization of unnecessary losses
and avoidance of undesired collateral damage.
This is a giant step in the perspective of future integration
for combined operations, of two or more air forces with different
operational experience.
However, it is not an easy step to be taken, as it is something
not easily identifiable by the authorities who manage and provide
the national budget.
F.- Standarized training and evaluation among air forces
When
the Chilean air force begun its international participation, under
UN mandate, we were confident in being ready to assume the new
tasks. After all, our air units were up to the standards set by
our air force.
Soon, reality showed how good our training and standards were
to operate under the, for us, new international environment. We
found some very positive standards to be part of our training,
but at the same time, we discovered certain areas and situations
where we had to set or change our standards. To make up for these
shortcomings, we soon decided to adopt the training and evaluation
methodology used by the world’s leading air forces.
Nowadays, when the possibility of regional training is a reality
for South America and when combined operations in support of UN
Resolutions is part of our day to day activity, it becomes extremely
important to think about unifying our operational training and
evaluation methodology. This will allow us, -once agreed by our
governments- to have a common planning and integration base upon
air forces being part of a combined operation.
Some air forces already use a common training and evaluation methodology
and they could share, on a regional basis, information on how
to proceed on these grounds.
G.-
Confidence Building and Transparency in Intelligence and Logistics
This
is the core element in obtaining synergy out of a future partnership
between air forces of different countries.
As all of us know, confidence does not suddenly appear out of
the blue. Nor it is obtained by some legal resolution. Trust building
occur day to day, accepting successes and errors while sharing
goals, necessities and limitations.
True confidence, for any future partnership, will be achieved
when intelligence and logistics will be transparent for both partners.
To operate with common doctrine, procedures language and systems,
will always be good slowed if not having the same “common”
standards in intelligence and logistics.
Just an example on this: Chile and Argentina have created a combined
“stand- by helicopter force” to operate under UN mandate.
This has been the result of confidence building and it was something
unthinkable of some ten years ago.
H.- Sharing common values
Another possible niche to develop synergy lies within
the core values adopted by our air forces.
Each Air Force uses these core values as the ethical frame to
perform its professional duty and to guide the training and the
conduct of its “airmen” .
Therefore and not withstanding the exact name given to those core
values, we can assume that there is a common vision and commitment
towards the fulfillment of our individual tasks .
Following this idea, I will like to express my belief that each
of us share common the core values. This as a mean of achieving
a better understanding and to develop synergy while on combined
operations.
I.-
Integration of civilian and military systems
Limited
resources put a high constrain on countries with social needs.
In this context, it will become difficult to get the resources
to operate, control and support “airpower”. In our
experience, one way to reduce the costs is by avoiding the duplication
of “systems” because of “civilian” / “military”
criteria. Experience has shown us that a lot of resources may
be saved by the military / civilian integration of facilities,
systems, procedures and manpower, like it is the case with radars,
airports, landing stripes, controlling agencies and others.
Regarding Air traffic control and services, in Chile, we have
a highly integrated air space management system. Just to provide
you with a hint on how the system works:
- All aircraft movement in Chile, civilian or military, is under
the control of Dirección General de Aviación Civil
(DGAC -Civil Air Authority). Exception to this rule are the military
aircraft while in their designated training areas, but not while
in transit to or from them.
The DGAC is a de-centralized government service, integrated to
the Ministry of Defense and under the command of an active duty
Air Force General. The CinC of the air force, has the legal faculty
to designate the General Officer that will be the commanding the
DGAC. As you see, our relationship and integration is permanent
and straightforward.
- National radar coverage is provided by a civilian radar network.
There also exists a couple of air force radar networks associated
to our air bases. Both systems are interconnected, allowing a
much flexible control of air space, both for DGAC and for air
force purposes.
- Most of the airports and navigation aids used by the air force
are also used by the civil aviation. They are normally developed,
installed, operated and maintained by DGAC. This arrangement saves
government money while not restricting air force normal operations.
This system works very well and allows for a very efficient control
of national airspace, provides flexibility and allows quick reaction.
Out of this experience the Chilean Air Force is convinced that
synergy can be obtained from the right mixture of components and
participants, rather than from the size and technological level
involved.
So far, international exercises with participation of neighboring
countries and France and USA, have shown that military operations
in Chilean air space provide no language or procedural problems
for our guests.
V.-
CONCLUSION
Before
expressing my final ideas I will request your indulgence while
watching a very short video that shows, in real Chilean Air Force
activities, much of what has been said in my previous words. (VIDEO)
I believe that it is possible to develop synergy between two or
more air forces, in combined operations, if we were able to proceed
in the direction previously mentioned.
I also believe that confidence building, values sharing and the
“how we educate and how we train our airmen” are two
fundamental factors to reach synergy. Confidence Building will
allow us to mutually validate our capacities and not to only rely
on appearances. On the other hand, the application of the right
educational programs to our airmen will enable our people to exchange
a common and professional language, thus generating synergy.
Finally, let me tell you that we consider highly convenient the
continuation of bilateral and multinational exercises in our region.
We are aiming for at least one exercise per year, under NATO rules
for language, planning, operations and evaluation. We think that
this way we are preparing us for a synergic interaction with the
world`s air forces, in order to use airpower effectively, when
so decided, in order to fulfill a UN resolution.
Before I leave this podium let me tell you a true story that happened
during this conference and is about friendship and relations between
airmen and air forces, as general Mosley said in the opening ceremony.
Two days ago I got a message in my room. “Ricardo Ortega
from AFA: he asked me if my father was in the air force…my
father past away 11 years ago…he told me how they met during
late 40 and early 50 when the US was delivering Bombers, Fighters
and Transport Aircraft to different countries in South America.
They were P-47; B-25; B -26; C-47 among others.
Last night in the outstanding airmen ceremony, was the Master
Sergeant Richard Ortega and his wife wearing uniform, proud and
in excellent shape. I realized he was twice outstanding airman.
Lessons to be learned
1. Friendship between airmen can last decades and one day maybe
one of your sons in 50 years ahead will talk about you, even you
probably be in heaven? … it feels good.
2. The second lesson: if you go to the stock exchange and you
see options for Ricardo Ortega; invest on it, you will have a
good return for your investment.
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