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After Vietnam, in 1986, the USAF made an historic raid on Libya, called “El Dorado
Canyon.”

The Navy attacked from the sea along with the USAF 12 plane F-111 strike force from a
base in England. The entire mission was flown “EMCON.” Electronic emission con-
trolled, and it was reported that there was one “mike” click over the entire route of
flight. Libyan defenders knew they were under attack as bombs were falling. Tragically
one F-111 was lost.

The importance of both the joint learning seen by the F-4 community and the impor-
tance of being able to strike with EMCON capabilities are two important lessons go-
ing forward as the US and its allies shape 21st century concepts of operations to take
advantage of the 5th generation aircraft and the associated new tools for combat.

(For a Special Report on the lessons learned from the US versus USSR tac air rivalry see the fol-
lowing:

http://www.sldinfo.com/download-pdf-the-us-vs-ussr-in-tacair-lessons-learned-from-a-hot-cold-
war/).

These lessons and concepts can now be extended to our allies and coalition partners in
unique ways.

The extent of integrated exercises and training provides clear evidence that next genera-
tion allied force wants to come up the learning curve towards more effective 21st centu-
ry air combat approaches and concepts of operations.

(For a look at the role of exercises in Pacific training see the following:

http://www.sldinfo.com/allied-pacific-exercises-and-training-shaping-a-deterrence-in-
depth-strategy/).

The F-35 and the Aviation Design Cycle

In the opening days of US combat in World War II, extremely courageous Navy and
Marine pilots went up against the Imperial Japanese Navy in inferior aircraft. For the

Second Line of Defense December 2014

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