Air Power 2017

21 ST CENTURY PARTNERSHIPS AIR POWER 2017 35

PARTNER PERSPECTIVES

Air Power Partnerships and

Interoperability: Enablers

for European Security

The amazing men and women of US Air
Forces in Europe, Air Forces Africa, and
Allied Air Command conduct and enable
operations around the globe. In Europe,
our efforts focus on four objectives –
deliver combat-ready forces, provide
robust basing access, enhance joint
interoperability, and improve partner
capabilities. Achieving success in these
areas is paramount in a diverse and
uncertain global security environment. A
360-degree look at the region illustrates
Europe’s complexity, highlights the
importance of our partnerships, and
demonstrates the need to continuously
expand the interoperability of our forces.
We maintain a laser focus on the
region from top to bottom, right to left,
South to North, and West to East. Starting
in the North, the diminishing Arctic
shelves open economic opportunities, and
increasingly, militarization of the region. The
impacts of these activities extend North
of Finland, Sweden, and Norway, continue
westward to Iceland and Greenland, and
quickly connect to the Atlantic, where
they abut critical defended assets of US
Northern Command. Stepping to the
South, violent extremist organization
(VEO) factors emerge throughout the
Mediterranean. We immediately observe
that our activities to deter VEOs are
intimately linked with the migrant and
refugee challenges facing Europe.
Snapping to the Southeastern flank of
NATO, friction arises from a variety of actors,
extending across Syria and into the Black
Sea. These power struggles impact the
security of our allies and partners bordering
these areas. We continue to support these

as a fantastic force multiplier, particularly

alongside fourth-generation counterparts.

We encourage our allies to continue to

embrace acquisition of and integration with

this platform. It represents a monumental

leap in capability that heightens the

performance and survivability of other

assets. Furthermore, it forces us to stretch

and enhance our multi-domain command

and control mediums to facilitate greater

information exchange. Advancing this

communication flow is critical to the trust

and teamwork that form the foundation

of our incredible interoperability.

Our forces maintain a second-by-

second focus on the activities throughout

the region, monitoring indications and

warnings. We combine that with a robust

training and exercise schedule to deter

any potential adversaries. The US Air

Force articulates support and provides

capability to these efforts through its five

core missions – superiority, surveillance,

strike, lift, and command and control.

The strength of our partnerships and the

interoperability of our forces underpin the

success of this approach. Ultimately, it is the

marriage of this hard work that allows us to

help keep the global security environment

at a simmer, just short of conflict.

states, particularly Turkey. Finally, to the

East, where Russia poses a challenge to

the United States, Europe, and NATO alike.

It is a challenge that bears deterring, and

we deter it and other actors through a

number of means. The most important

measure is our robust, focused training and

exercise schedule. Through activities like

Atlantic Resolve, Arctic Challenge, European

Partnership ISR Enterprise, and enhanced

Forward Presence we transparently

maintain razor-sharp combat capability and

credibility alongside our allies and partners.

Partnerships are the common thread

in these arenas. Our relationships with the

partners, nations, and the coalition across

Europe, both NATO and EU members alike,

have never been stronger than they are

today. We continue to build and strengthen

these ties in the interests of global security.

These partnerships and the access to the

region they offer create the platform upon

which we train and stand ready to deliver

combat power. Examples like the historic

first operational deployment of the F-35

in April to the United Kingdom, Estonia,

and Bulgaria, along with the rotation of

B-2s, B-1s, and B-52s through RAF Fairford

in support of exercises Saber Strike and

Baltic Operations display the strength of

these relationships. They communicate our

collective ability to lift and shift forces, and

the readiness we all preserve to deter and

defend against any potential aggression.

The interoperability of forces across our

partnerships continues to grow, but we are

never satisfied with the current state. We

work hard to improve this interoperability,

while growing partner capabilities. The

permanent introduction of F-35 in the

near future, continual rotation of theater

security packages, and introduction

of Air Integration Elements, to name a

few, create opportunities to enhance

execution in all domains. The F-35 serves

GENERAL TOD D WOLTERS

Commander, US Air Forces in Europe,

Air Forces Africa, and Allied Air Command