Having just returned from an area of conflict, where dependancy rests on airborne assets of every type, hat colour and nationality, it is heartening to see that co-operation and integration is being implemented from the outset in the AH COMAO programme. It is noteworthy that the biggest problem with air integration is the method of marketing it to the operational and strategic level decision makers, and ensuring that considered planning is prevalent from inception. The modern battlefield is All Arms in every sense of the word and as a result the understanding of what each asset can achieve independently and, more importantly, as part of the 'team', is vital.
It sounds like this may be happening. I hope that 16 AA Bde are involved in the full exercise planning profile and scenario setting for these exercises. And they are able to place the land picture spin on what the Ground Commander's desired effect is.
We have come a long way from Helarm, it would be a shame to waste the oppportunity to get this right. As pale blue myself it is easy to be over-protective, let's not be.
