By
SQNLDR Tania Smith
Volume
48, No. 3, March 9, 2006
IMPROVING
the Air Operations Centre (AOC) concept by demonstrating the capability
in high tempo exercises such as Pitch Black, was one of the priorities
discussed at the first Force Element Group Commander’s Conference
for the year.
Led by Air Commander Australia AVM John Quaife, the conference,
held on February 13 and 14 at RAAF Glenbrook, was attended by
the Deputy Chief of Air Force, the Air Command Senior Leadership
Team and all of the FEG commanders.
AVM Quaife outlined his priorities for 2006 with one of his key
objectives to continue to develop the close integration of air
power with land forces given the changing nature of warfare.
“My objective is to increase Air Force’s integration
with ground forces to support the soldier through Joint Terminal
Attack Controllers,” he said.
He also focused on adjusting training and activity to allow Air
Command to sustain its high operational tempo, particularly in
C-130 and AP-3C operations, another objective for the Air Command
senior leadership team.
“The current operational tempo is not likely to change, therefore
Air Command needs to be smart in developing initiatives and the
right level of training that will accommodate this tempo and increase
productivity,” AVM Quaife said.
He also discussed the challenges that the forthcoming command
and control changes would bring in 2006 as Air Command integrates
Training Command as a FEG and prepares for the AOC to be located
with the new Joint Headquarters near Bungendore.
“The incorporation of Training Command into Air Command provides
us with an opportunity to review the construct of Combat Support
Group (CSG).
It is our people within CSG who make the Air Force expeditionary
and we need to integrate the southern Air Force bases into the
group’s operations,” he said.
In 2006, each FEG will also need to prepare for the transition
of new capabilities into service.
AVM Quaife said Air Combat Group will need to prepare for the
ACG of the future that features the Joint Strike Fighter with
Air Lift Group, preparing for the multi-role tanker transport
aircraft, the possibility of new strategic airlift aircraft and
fully realising the potential of the C-130J fleet.
He said the Surveillance and Response Group’s priorities
involved mature planning for the arrival of Wedgetail, the integration
of the Tactical Air Defence Radar System into operational service,
as well as a significant effort to reshape the way that air traffic
and control capability is delivered.
He said Aerospace Operational Support Group will continue to mature
as a FEG and will need to deliver test and evaluation architecture
across Air Command and bring Nos. 462 and 87SQNs online.
