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TAAC-Air, Afghan leaders meet to discuss command and control

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air Public Affairs
FOWARD OPERATING BASE Oqab --  Train, Advise, Assist Command-Air leadership recently hosted a shura, a meeting, in order to develop Afghan Air Force aerial fires and close air attack command and control capabilities.

The shura, attended by Afghan leadership including the Air Command and Control Center director and Chief of Operations, was an opportunity for an array of disciplines to come together in advance of a fighting season that will see nearly six times more Afghan aircraft providing close air attack to ground forces.

“As they expand their close air attack capabilities, it is important they develop a consistent command and control capability and aerial fires employment procedures,” said U.S. Navy Lt. Chris McCook, TAAC-Air operations advisor. “This shura was a stepping stone for furthering that discussion.”

Lt. Col. Mark Fuhrmann, Ministry of Defense air advisor, opened the shura by stressing the process to request and employ aerial fires should be transparent to everyone, including the end user.

“They do not have a doctrine for aerial fires. They have a doctrine for mobility and lift, but with the reduction of Coalition kinetic assets during Operation Resolute Support, it is imperative they effectively utilize new, but limited Afghan kinetic capabilities,” said Fuhrmann.

TAAC-Air leadership has stressed proper prioritization of aircraft is critical to successful employment of the Afghan Air Force in support of Afghan National Defense Security Forces. The TAAC-Air commanding general Brig. Gen. Michael Rothstein, stated effective command and control can allow the Afghan Air Force to appropriately prioritize airpower and provide the needed support to ground forces commanders on the battlefield.

Entering Fighting Season 2015, the Afghan Air Force will augment their MI-35 helicopters with Mi-17s with 23 mm machine guns, and MD-530s with .50-caliber machine guns. In 2016 A-29s will also join the fight. With this many aircraft supporting operations throughout the country, disciplined command and control is imperative. The shura was the first step toward this end.

“It is an ongoing process to develop the command and control capability,” said McCook. “We are working to ensure we have a coherent plan for all aerial fires engagements.”

TAAC-Air intends to host further shuras in the coming months to continue the discussion and implement the aerial fires plan.