Page 113 - Maritime Services and the Kill Web

The Maritime Services, the Allies and Shaping the Kill Web

I had the opportunity to see it up close in Red Flag Alaska last year. 4th gen Canadian classic hornets, F-15Es,
VAQ-135 Growlers (with Aussie crews), Raptors, Wedgetail. Everyone has gaps – physics has limits.

But our innovative JO’s roll up their sleeves and mission plan, making EW/SEAD contracts with their counterparts
– they’re talking spectrum; sensors; gaps in capabilities; and contracts to ensure that non-kinetic effects are
layered and distributed to increase lethality across the force.

It takes work to maximize innovatively our capabilities. For the US Navy, it took perseverance to innovate from a
standoff EA-6B Jammer mindset, to a platform and community of experts focused on distributing battlespace
awareness and attacking the enemy’s kill web across all mission areas.

As CDR Paul summarized how he saw the way ahead: “An innovative, team-based collaborative culture that
ingrains Information Warfare strengthens the VAQ community’s enduring international partnership in EW.”

IN LIEU OF A CONCLUSION: AIR COMMANDER AUSTRALIA FOCUSES ON THE
WORK IN PROGRESS

2017-08-21 By Robbin Laird

During the current visit to Australia, I had a chance to talk with the newly appointed Air Commander Australia,
Air Vice-Marshal Zed Roberton.

I have had the chance to talk with him before so this meeting was more in the mode of continuing the
conversation and shifting to the focus of his new responsibilities.

And that is where we started the interview.

Question: You have gone from being the head of the fighters in the RAAF (Air Combat Group) to now
dealing with the entire sweep of the RAAF (Air Commander Australia).

What is the major difference for you as you shift positions?
Air Vice-Marshal Roberton: I am going from making a contribution to shaping a fifth-generation air force to
ownership of the transition.

It is only changing one word, but it is a big change.

The focus changes from working the F-35 / Growler / Super Hornet mix that air combat group has to
contribute, to the transition of the entire RAAF into a fifth-generation joint force.
A key challenge is recruiting and training the new force; how to target the right people and how to train
them.

We focus on things like categorization schemes, which is our way of accrediting and giving mission assurance
for our people.

For example, a section lead, which is our category C, is significantly different for an F-35 pilot than it was for
an F-18 pilot. Fundamentally different.

And this is true for Growler and other aircraft types as well.

Question: You have raised the question of the shift in recruitment and training with regard to your pilots.

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