Views sought on doctrine
Changes to our doctrine aim to make it clearer, writes WGCDR Peter McLennan

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The first version of the RAAF’s air power doctrine was released in 1990. Since then, three subsequent editions have been produced. The most recent edition is the AAP1000, Fundamentals of Australian Aerospace Power, which was released in August 2002.

Most of the fundamental roles of air power were developed in World War I and most of our doctrinal principles had been established by the end of World War II. So why do we need to keep changing our doctrine?

The main reason is that we are continually striving to make our doctrine clearer. This makes it easier for people to understand, which in turn means that more people are able to apply it, and this increases the Air Force’s ability to deliver air power.

Of course, there are also changes that arise from such factors as the possibilities of new technology, the need for completeness, and the desire for compatibility with other concepts and doctrine from within the ADF and our allies.

The Aerospace Centre is planning to release the next edition of our air power doctrine in 2006. Even though that is several years away, we are already working on ideas that may be incorporated into that edition. In addition, we are revising the process by which the doctrine is reviewed and staffed through to CAF for approval.

A critical element in the continual improvement of our doctrine involves obtaining ideas and feedback from the wider Air Force community.

Some formal processes are used to achieve this, such as the annual doctrine review exercise at the Australian Command and Staff College (ACSC). This exercise is now known as Exercise MacFarling, acknowledging the major contribution to Air Force doctrine and education made by the late Group Captain Ian MacFarling.

In 2003, the Air Force syndicates of the ACSC were asked to consider whether the four air power capabilities listed in our current doctrine could be replaced by the six future warfighting functions listed in the joint doctrinal publication Future Warfighting Concept. Many difficult and important issues were exposed as a result of this exercise.

The Aerospace Centre is also interested in receiving thoughts and feedback on doctrine, formally or informally, at any time. Topical issues include whether the current volume is too long, whether it contains unnecessary material, whether non-flying contributions to air power should be covered in more detail, and the extent to which it should cover non-RAAF air power.

If you would like to comment on these or any other issues, contact the Aerospace Centre on (02) 6287 6273, or send an email to AerospaceCentre@defence.gov.au. If you need to obtain a copy of the doctrine, ask your TPO or follow the links from our web site (http://www.raaf.gov.au/airpower).

• Wing Commander McLennan is the Aerospace Centre’s Deputy Director of Doctrine and Publications.

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