MAGAZINE
FALL 2020
AIR & LAND
INTEGRATION
A COMMON BOND WITH THE ARRC ’ S SISTER SERVICE
By Spanish Army Lieutenant Colonel Fernando FUENTESAL GARCÍA , ARRC HQ
“ If we lose the war in the air , we lose the war and we lose it quickly .”
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery
Since powered flight came of age and outstripped the horse in
relevance and numbers in modern warfare , land forces have developed a deep reliance on their air forces for essential assistance . This relationship rapidly evolved during World War II . Ever since then the sophistication and ability of the delivery of effects from the sky has increased many fold , to the point it now encompasses space . The principal capabilities and extended capacity which air forces contribute are categorised as : control of air and space , transport and movement , surveillance and target location , and attack from the air . These draw out the unique characteristics of this mode of warfare , which is an emphasis on speed , reach , height , ubiquity , agility , and concentration . Together these are a formidable flexible combination , which land forces and especially corps like the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps ( ARRC ) must be able to access in order to complete our own army tasks , confident we have above us an umbrella of adequate protection from enemy air attack . If truth be known , land forces typically have to rely on air forces more than air forces have to rely on land forces , especially if land forces need to exert influence at maximum range before the enemy can directly affect them .
Together , both of these major components of NATO ’ s force structure then further combine with the other components : Navy , Special Forces and Logistics so that the whole contribution NATO makes for collective defence is greater than sum of its individual elements and national contributions . Such a complex relationship , when these components do not routinely work and live together , has to be worked at with regular determination otherwise we will be unprepared to adequately defend the NATO area .
The ARRC has important liaison cells within its full-time organisation able to knit together these organisations , sometimes referred to as the “ away-team ”. NATO air forces are commanded by Air Command ( AIRCOM ) based out of Ramstein in Germany . AIRCOM has their own away team of about ten personnel permanently assigned to the ARRC to help explain the air force ’ s requirements and ease relationships , as they do for all other NATO corps sized headquarters . In turn , the ARRC ’ s team is known as the Ground Liaison Element ( GLE ), which is a small cell that locates regularly with AIRCOM to introduce and influence the ARRC Commander ’ s requests and plans . Unsurprisingly , the ARRC GLE , in order to remain fully fit for its role , participates in all AIRCOM major exercises as a priority , which is about twice per year . This article explains a little more about this multinational team .
From April 29 to May 10 of 2019 , AIRCOM conducted their annual internal exercise known as RAMSTEIN AMBITION ( RAAM 19 ) held at their home base . For this event they were being assessed by NATO to be the Air Component Command for exercises throughout 2019 and 2020 . Exercises which will also affect the ARRC .
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