The meaning of JASDF’s airlift operation in Iraq and JASDF’s future challenge Atsushi Hikita Col. Japan Air Self Defense Force Visiting Fellow, The Stimson Center
・ Overview of JASDF airlift operation in Iraq ・ The features of the mission ・ JASDF’s own efforts for mission ・ The meaning of the operation ・ The future challenge for JASDF ・ New Defense Program Guidelines and the implications for JASDF’s capability ・ Conclusion Contents
Overview of JASDF airlift operation in Iraq - Based on the Iraq Special Measures Law and its Basic Plan - Operation period: Mar – Dec Airlift from Kuwait to Ali, Baghdad, Erbil etc. - C-130H × 3 with around 200 personnel - Total transportation 46,500 personnel and 673 tons of cargo Erbil Baghdad Ali Ali Al Salem
The features of the mission - Airlift mission under surface-to-air threat - Construction of base facilities abroad - Rotation of personnel affected the entire JASDF - Deployment to unfamiliar nation
Airlift mission under SA threat - Mission with safety - Refurbishment of C-130H for self protection - Special training for landing under the threat
Construction of base facilities abroad - HQ building - Offices - Hanger - Barracks - Mess hall - Medical room - Bath - etc
Rotation of personnel affected the entire JASDF - Every four months - More than 200 personnel - Air crew and mechanics - Doctors
Deployment to unfamiliar area - Aircraft operation in desert environment - Health and mental care - Culture, custom and language
JASDF’s own efforts for mission - Preparation before deployment - Organization - Intelligence - Coordination between units
Preparation before deployment Many things to prepare for - anti-threat - operation in the desert environment - operation support - personnel and their family
Organization Chain of Command Commander, ASC Director, APD Commander, ALW ASC Staff SQ Commander CAOC Air Base in Kuwait US Air Base in SW Asia
Organization 2 senior officers have authorities to make decision to go or no-go Commander, ALW Director, APD threats requirement s weather A/C status crew
Intelligence - Operational information provided by CAOC - Effort to access the information - Spending much time to analyze
Coordination between units Good coordination between 2 authorities for missions Commander, ALW Director, APD
The meaning of the operation - Understood world military standard - Learned to operate with coalition members - Thought about JASDF’s capability for international operations
The future challenge for JASDF - Enhancement of intelligence capability - Accumulation of experience - Response to various contingencies - Tight relationship with US military forces
National Defense Program Guidelines (NDPG) for FY 2011 and beyond Organization, Equipment and Force Disposition - Response to attacks on off-shore island Strengthening air defense capability - Strengthening capabilities for international activities Strengthening air transport capability - Enhancement of intelligence function Strengthening diverse information-collecting capabilities
Mid-term Defense Program (FY2011-FY2015) JASDF - Second fighter SQ to Naha Air base - New JASDF Yokota Air base - Procurement of new transport aircraft - Procurement of new fighter - Upgrade of AWACS - Modernization of F-15 and F-2 - Modernization of UH-60J - etc
Overview of C-2 (tentative name) Jakarta Singapore Delhi Islamabad Honolulu Cairns Port Moresby Male Anchorage Seattle Payload C-1 : 2.6t C-130 : 5.0t C-2:12t Range C-1 : 1,700km C-130 : 4,000km C-2 : 6,500km C-1 (8t) C-2 (30t) C-130 (20t) Size (max payload) Technology - Glass cockpit - Fly by wire - tactical flight management system - Aerial refueling system - Self protection system - High precision navigation system - etc
FY C-2 development schedule 1st Flight Design & Trial Manufacture Strength Test Flight Test Start of Procurement Operation
Mid-term Defense Program (FY2011-FY2015) JASDF - Second fighter SQ to Naha Air base - New JASDF Yokota Air base - Procurement of new transport aircraft - Procurement of new fighter - Upgrade of AWACS - Modernization of F-15 and F-2 - Modernization of UH-60J - etc
09 FY 10 FY F-X selection schedule Start of procurement 1st IPT Mtg. Selection Budget request Final determination Operation ? RFP
Mid-term Defense Program (FY2011-FY2015) JASDF - Second fighter SQ to Naha Air base - New JASDF Yokota Air base - Procurement of new transport aircraft - Procurement of new fighter - Upgrade of AWACS - Modernization of F-15 and F-2 - Modernization of UH-60J - etc
Conclusion Golan Heights East Timor Cambodia Mozambique Iraq Nepal Sudan Indian Ocean Gulf of Aden Persian Gulf ’s 2000’s We should prepare for the future operations. 2010’s -
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