Air Force of 2022 Aerospace force combining all air and space elements of the ADF Uniformed Air Force comprises only people with operationally essential skills Six months for personnel to achieve combat-ready status Fewer flying hours Less concentration on paperwork

THE Air Force of 2022 could be a vastly different service to the one of today, a team of Air Force personnel has told the 2002 Aerospace Conference.

Air Commodore John Harvey, Squadron Leader Damien Gilchrist and Squadron Leader Rosemary Johnson helped shed light on what the Air Force might be like 20 years from now by going "back to the future" in their address to the conference in late May.

Their story was pure fiction, but it provided an insight into what the Air Force could offer future generations.

AIRCDRE Harvey said the Air Force of 2022 could be shaped by three key aspects: a change in military posture, an integration of capabilities and the recognition of its people as its greatest asset.

He said the emerging security threats that became apparent in 2001 could lead to a "fundamental rethink of military posture". This would be a significant departure from the current posture, modelled on extended periods of peace interrupted by major conflict, he said.

In terms of capabilities, he said the Air Force of 2022 might have moved from stand-alone weapons that could not be integrated, to more modular systems.

Twenty years from now, the Air Force might be linked with others to form a virtual aerospace force, an "amalgam of all air and space elements of the Australian Defence Force, connected by national and military command and control".

But it's the third key element - the recognition and investment in Air Force people - that could have the greatest impact on the changing face of the service, AIRCDRE Harvey said.

"The Air Force of 2022 is still based on smart technology but it is smart and innovative people who bring it all together," he said. "The full-time uniformed Air Force will comprise only those people with operationally essential skills."

In his address, SQNLDR Gilchrist said that in 2022 someone with only nine years in the service could be wearing five campaign medals.

"While in 2002 it can take Air Force personnel up to six years to be designated 'combat ready', it takes just six months in 2022," he said.

SQNLDR Gilchrist said Air Force pilots in 2022 might not fly as much, with many experiencing about one-tenth the flying hours that Air Force pilots accrue today.

"But pilots 20 years from now could go to Red Flag, Green Flag, Maple Flag and Orange Flag four times each in the space of 12 months, not filling the same role twice," he said.

People might rarely see the Air Force's upgraded aircraft or view many airshows in 2022, because these things could tend to be kept "under wraps", he said

Air Force personnel might gain their skills and experience from outside employers as well as the Air Force, according to SQNLDR Johnson. Anybody aspiring to promotion could have to spend time in other workplaces, she explained.

"For instance some may work part-time in the Air Force and part- time for a mining company, and it's the learning new things, playing with different technologies and adapting to new organisations that keeps people passionate about working for the Air Force," she said.

SQNLDR Johnson said that instead of having their heads buried in paperwork, Air Force people would use their heads for face-to-face resolution of issues.

By Ben Caddaye