Page 4 - Williams Foundation Air-Sea Integration Seminar

Shaping an Integrated Force in the Extended Battlespace

OVERVIEW

Beginning in March 2014, the Williams Foundation began a series of seminars and workshops to examine
both conceptually and practically ways to build a 21st century combat force, which can prevail in the
extended battlespace.

This can be looked at as a force operating in what the U.S. Chief of Naval Operations as kill webs or what an
Australian Army General called building an Australian anti-access anti-denial strategy.

What is unique about what Williams has done is to shape a public discussion of the opportunities and
challenges to shaping such a force.

And through the seminars, the conversation has evolved and generated more joint force involvement as well.

The first seminars were largely Air Force driven, as the Air Force shaped its Plan Jericho approach to
leveraging 5th generation capabilities. Plan Jericho is about transformation as the RAAF adds new platforms,
and rather than adding them like Lego blocks it is about interactive platform modernization and overall force
transformation.

This theme was taken to Denmark and the Williams Foundation co-hosted a seminar with the Centre for
Military Studies in Copenhagen and discussed the way ahead prior to the Danish decision to buy the F-35
and to become a fifth generation enabled force.

This Danish decision combined with Norway’s and the Dutch acquisition of F-35s combined with the joint UK
and USAF operation of F-35s in the UK means that the fifth generation force can enable the shaping of new
collaborative approach in a key region of the world.

During a visit to RAF Lakenheath in June, there was a chance to talk with the 48th Wing Commander, Col.
Novotny about the strategic opportunities inherent in the joint standup.

He underscored that unlike setting up an F-35 base in the United States, standing one up at RAF Lakenheath
was about putting the F-35 into play with the UK, the Norwegians, the Danes and the Dutch.

“We are not flying alone; but joined at the hip.

“We will be flying exactly in the area of interest for which the plane was designed and can fly together,
maintain together, and operate together leveraging the air and sea base for which the F-35 B will fly from as
well.

“It is a unique and strategic opportunity for the USAF and for the nations.

“I’m glad that we are the first base overseas, but I see there is great potential for two countries to develop in
concert, side-by-side, and to set, set the model for joint operations.

“As we get this right, we can bring in the Danes, the Norwegians and Dutch who are close in geography and
the Israelis and Italians as well to shape the evolving joint operational culture and approach.

“Before you know it, you’ve got eight countries flying this airplane seamlessly integrated because of the work
that Lakenheath and Marham are doing in the 20 nautical miles radius of the two bases.”

http://www.sldinfo.com/synergy-and-building-out-extended-nato-defense/

Second Line of Defense

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