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Old 19th Dec 2007, 09:06
  #107 (permalink)  
Climebear
 
Join Date: Mar 2002
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Vortex

7 ac are in theatre to meet the requirements of the Jt Comd. If the Jt Comd needed more ac then they would be requested by PJHQ.

You must also understand that Coalition Air works in an entirely different way to coalition Land operations. On land, individual nation's formations generally operate within geographic AORs. Coalition air is totally intergrated and not restricted geographically (we frequently operate in mixed formations involving several air forces). This enable the Air component commander to provide the best effect anywhere in his AOR with the assets available. Having an air component where the UK air element only supports UK land forces, US air element only support US land forces, Dutch air... Is not effective - and runs counter to several principles of war - primarily economy of effort. So you shouldn't be surprised that UK land forces are being supported by US/NL/Can fast-air it is because the best wpn system is being employed effectively, as this is happening UK air will more-than-likely be supporting US/NL/Can TiCs elswhere in theatre.

As for saying that 4 sqns only sp 7 deployed aircraft, you miss the fact that these Sqns (like the rest of the RAF and RN) are also providing assets at readiness in support of UK JRRF/NRF/EU BG. With UK combat land elements heavily commited the UK (wishing to be seen to be pulling its weight within NATO/EU (unlike some)) has reduced the number of land elements assigned to NRF/EU BG but compensated this with an increase in the number of maritime/air elements commited. I know that the likelyhood of these assets being used are slim (almost super-model slim); however, that doesn't take away the requirement to keep these assets at readiness.
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