ARRC Journal 2018 | Page 63

READY FOR TODAY – EVOLVING FOR TOMORROW no officer or senior non-commissioned officer assigned. Whilst these shortfalls are likely to be addressed as we move forward, this example highlights the potential progress we could achieve: If we put the right leaders in division ADAM cells, the M-SHORAD capability will start to be regenerated. With the cumulative shortfalls and high operational tempo for ADA there are many potential solutions and unfortunately, some of them are will not prove optimal. The ADA branch will have to decide which positions are prioritised over others, or whether some should be filled by individuals with less experience (i.e. a key developmental assigned major filling in for a lieutenant Skysabre UK colonel position at division or corps). Another possible solution includes additional personnel authorisations in order to fill the mandatory requisitions. This problem is not unique to the US Army; many, if not all, NATO partners do not have the necessary personnel to support all manoeuvre units with the appropriate subject matter expertise. The system capability gap is one, as a combined and Allied force, that will take longer to close. Despite the acknowledgement German Patriot Live Fire (Artemis Strike17) of the significant which was a bilateral exercise and live capability gap to protect the force from a fire between US and German Air Defence near-peer threat, there is little appetite for formations. Leveraging these types of budgetary growth to increase capability training to forge partnerships will enable within any of our NATO Allies’ Defence the wider air defence force to maximise organisations. However, we should not interoperability and therefore fight and present a one-size-fits-all solution for the train smarter. If we can achieve this, it US and our Allies; on the contrary, we will aid the Alliance in modern defence, should encourage our Allies and partners allowing us all to focus on removing to fight ‘smarter’ with the creation of weaknesses while not playing to one of combined and integrated air and missile our potential adversary’s strengths. defence task forces. US Army Europe and the 10th (US) Army Air and Missile In summary, ADA and NATO Allies are Defense Command, among others, have progressing along the right path to enable laid the groundwork for such a task with the reintroduction of M-SHORAD into the exercises such as TOBRUQ LEGACY operational environment. However, the 17. The exercise involved staffs and steps that we are taking as countries, units from several NATO countries, along formations and individuals can, and with continental US-based air defence should be, collated into a defined plan of personnel and many others. Exercise action so we are focused on re-growing Artemis Strike 17 is another shining not only the personnel capability, but also example of this increased interoperability the system capability. SAMP-T ABOUT THE AUTHOR Maj Trey Guy is currently SO2 Air Missile Defence Plans in the Joint Fires and Influence Branch at HQ Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. All of the systems depicted in this article (Patriot, SAMP-T, Igla, Avenger/Stinger and SkySaber(2020)) have the ability to provide Air Defence protection on their own as they are directed by their national formations. What we as an alliance should be working towards is full interoperability of our systems and our personnel to manage these various systems on the battlefield, if we manage that then we will be working in concert to thwart potential adversaries. ALLIED RAPID REACTION CORPS 63