'Libyanistan': 5 Strategies We Should Have Followed - And Still Aren't

On the morning of September 11, 2001, I was in Boston on advanced consulting training at the corporate headquarters of the business consulting firm I was working for at the time. That day the training was cancelled and we were sent to our hotels rooms. I remember being glued all day to that well-known 24-hours news channel.

The genesis of anti-Al Qaeda warfare

After the initial shock, the training resumed later that week. Once the course was completed, I rented a car and made the long drive home to Montreal, as airlines were still grounded across the US. This five-hour drive gave me time to think, as a senior Canadian Army officer in Reserves, about where this could lead us to be involved in. Afghanistan, where Al Qaeda had sanctuary by the Taliban, was soon identified as a target. I never thought when it started that we would still be there 10 years later.

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Rapidly Evolving Cyber Warfare Threats to be discussed at Defence IQ's Cyber Warfare Online

As cyber warfare threats continue to evolve at a rapid rate, senior representatives from the US Cyber Command, NATO and EU will discuss cyber warfare strategies, tactics and practices at Defence IQ’s Cyber Warfare Online Event.

In an interview with Defence IQ at Cyber Warfare Europe 2011, Lieutenant Colonel William Hagestead, USMC, contends that cyber vector threats will ‘change so rapidly that we won’t even know they’re there.’

From STUXNET to Wikileaks, recent attacks on critical infrastructure and information security lapses, have thrown cyber warfare into mainstream headlines and made military bodies such as the US Army and US Marine Corps, which are traditionally focussed on kinetic warfare, move onto the cyber security domain.

In order to address the strategic and tactical challenges faced by cyber professionals within military bodies, cyber security companies and intelligence agencies, Defence IQ will be holding Cyber Warfare Online 2011.

The virtual summit, which includes a keynote speech from Brigadier General John Davis, the Director of Current Operations for US Cyber Command, will keep cyber professionals up-to-date with the latest developments in battle management, command and control and defensive counter-cyber strategies.

It will also be a prime opportunity for cyber warfare and cyber security experts to see how military bodies are developing their exploit and attack capabilities in conjunction with government and intelligence agencies. Given the transmogrifying nature of cyber warfare threats, forums such as Cyber Warfare Online play a pivotal role in developing and understanding effective cyber warfare and security strategies.  

In spite of the fast-evolving nature of cyber warfare threats, Lieutenant Colonel Hagestead, who will be speaking at the event, suggests that cyber warfare incidents can be far from typical and that while ‘there may be cyber battles but there will not be full scale cyber warfare’.

He also notes that the curious character of cyber threats is that they are more likely to be internal, not external. ‘If one looks at the recent case with the wikileaks example…it’s purported that the majority of the data was leaked from an internal source. That goes to show that the majority major threats are going to be internal, not external.’

To listen to the full interview with Lieutenant Colonel William Hagestad II, Force Movement Control, US Marine Corps on 'Transmogrification': US Marine Corps Cyber Officer Stares Down a Rapidly Changing Threat’ visit http://www.blogger.com/www.defenceiq.com. For more information about Cyber Warfare Online or to get involved, please visit www.cyberwarfareonline.com.

Typhoon joins Tornado in Libya ground attack operations

Typhoon jets are providing a ground attack capability in addition to Tornado GR4 aircraft as British forces continue to support NATO operations in Libya.

Speaking to the media in London, Air Vice-Marshal Phil Osborn, Air Officer Commanding No 2 Group, said that the use of Typhoon in a multi-role fit, combined with Tornado, provides a highly responsive and balanced capability while maintaining the deployed force at the most efficient level.

The Typhoons are carrying Enhanced Paveway II bombs for the operation, complementing the ordnance carried by the GR4s and increasing the variety of precision-guided weapons available to NATO.

Air Vice-Marshal Osborn revealed that yesterday evening a Typhoon patrolling with a Tornado over western Libya was able to positively identify regime main battle tanks (MBTs) to the south of Misurata. The two aircraft attacked and the Typhoon successfully engaged two MBTs with Enhanced Paveway II bombs, while the Tornado hit another MBT with Paveway IV.

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No Compromise on British Nuclear Subs? http://ping.fm/aKuj2

No Compromise on British Nuclear Subs

Britain will not be scaling back the number of its nuclear submarines in the near-term future, according to the Ministry of Defence, but will continue to keep the possibility under review.

Speaking to the BBC, Secretary of Defence Dr. Liam Fox addressed the controversial Trident programme in response to the perceived uncertainty about its future.

Previously, Dr. Fox had indicated that there may have been cause and opportunity to reduce the fleet from four to three as part of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) undertaken last year, but has since affirmed that detailed assessment does not allow for such a cutback without jeopardizing national security.

"If you reduce the number, you take an increased risk in your ability to deploy that deterrent at all times,” said Fox.

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UN Security Council considers plans for specialised Somali courts to try pirates

Recognizing the need for further steps to boost anti-piracy efforts, the Security Council today decided to urgently consider the establishment of specialized Somali courts to try suspected pirates both in the Somalia and in the region.

The Council also urged both State and non-State actors affected by piracy, most notably the international shipping community, to provide support for a host of judicial- and detention-related projects through the trust fund set up for that purpose.

In its unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member Council stressed the need for “a comprehensive response to tackle piracy and its underlying causes by the international community,” as it outlined a wide array of measures to more effectively counter the scourge of piracy.

These include calling on States to cooperate on the issue of hostage-taking; encouraging States and regional organizations to assist Somalia in strengthening its coastguard capacity; urging all States, including those in the region, to criminalize piracy under their domestic laws; and underlining the need to investigate and prosecute those who illicitly finance, plan, organize, or unlawfully profit from pirate attacks off the Somali coast.

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Do any of you have Xing accounts? If so, join Defence I
Q on Xing at: http://ping.fm/0QUFw

What impact will new technologies have on the military helicopter sector?

In the wake of the defence technology exhibition at the Honourable Artillery Company in London last month, the importance of state-of-the-art technology has been at the forefront of discussions within the defence helicopter community.

One of the highlights of the exhibition was the Low Visibility Landing (LVL) System, a 3-D helmet display technology which aids helicopter pilots to land in the dusty and sandy (commonly known as "brownout") conditions of Afghanistan.

The system was developed in a joint venture between the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and industry partners Agusta Westland and Ferranti Technologies.

Speaking at the event, and announcing a rise in cash terms of the budget for DSTL, Defence Equipment Support and Technology Minister Peter Luff described the technology displayed as "world-beating" and spoke of the need for continued high-tech, industry leading innovation in the wake of deep defence cuts.

However, in an interview with Defence IQ recently, Mr. Luff also conceded that securing the most cost-efficient equipment and technology in the current climate was no easy task:

"Financial resources are limited, even at the best of times, and particularly at the moment of course when Britain is facing a very large budget deficit. We're very far from ideal circumstances, but getting the right kit at the best price we can, in good time, is the essence of the game".

The potential of new technologies, their cost-effectiveness, and how they will improve performance in future rotary wing missions will be key issues discussed at the upcoming International Military Helicopter conference, taking place 11th-13th May 2011 at the Olympia Conference Centre, London. The conference will offer detailed insight and analysis from an expert international speaker faculty including:

• Colonel Hans Werner Salewski, Commander, 15 Medium Transport Helicopter Regiment, German Army
• Colonel Sam Michaud, Commander, 12 Wing Shearwater, Canadian Forces
• Colonel Billy Thompson, Commander, 563rd Rescue group, US Air Force
• Lieutenant Colonel Duart Townsend, Directing Staff (Aviation), Canadian Land Force Command and Staff College
• Wing Commander David Tozer, Officer Commanding, Forward Support Wing, RAF Odiham

Defence IQ is offering all serving Flag Officers 1* and above a free pass to attend the conference. Passes can be requested from Calum Jeffray at defence@iqpc.co.uk
Additional information is available at www.MilitaryHelicopterEvent.com, along with complimentary articles, podcasts and videos in the Download Centre. The Defence IQ - Military Community LinkedIn group is open for membership, and related content can be found at www.defenceiq.com.

Should NATO apologise for bombing Libyan rebels in an attack that killed at least 2 people? - http://bit.ly/hijOjn

NATO 'Won't Apologize' For Strike On Libya Rebels

NATO has refused to apologize for an air strike on Libyan rebel tanks that killed at least two people, saying that the situation on the ground has been "extremely fluid."

The April 7 air strike mistakenly hit a tank near the eastern oil town of Brega, site of daily skirmishes between forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi and the opposition.

Rear Admiral Russell Harding, deputy commander of NATO's Libya operations, told a news briefing today that the alliance had no previous information that the rebels were using tanks.

Earlier, the head of rebel forces in eastern Libya, Abdel Fattah Younes, told a news conference in Benghazi that the air strike did not cause tension with NATO, although the rebels wanted an explanation.

"There are a lot of people asking right now who bombed our tanks," Younes said. "Most probably NATO mistakenly struck us, but at the same time it is difficult to strike by mistake 20 tanks deployed in the desert."

Meanwhile, AP reported that thousands of civilians and fighters fled the nearby rebel-held city of Ajdabiya after reports that Qaddafi's forces gained ground in the chaos after the bombing.

It was the second time in less than a week that rebels said NATO had bombed their comrades by mistake.

Thirteen were killed in an air strike not far from the same spot on April 2.

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Multilateral Forces Spend on Maritime Platforms to Boost Patrols - http://ping.fm/OqaW5

Multilateral Forces Spend on Maritime Platforms to Boost Patrols

The proposed extension of the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) opens the floor to a host of issues surrounding enforcement, multilateral coordination, definition of territorial waters and legal parameters. Vytautas Lukas is a veteran of the Lithuanian Coast Guard and now represents the European Union's Sea Border Sector Operations Unit in Frontex. He speaks here about the methodology of assessing risk, refining SOPs, and highlighting the current risks that Frontex has identified in the EEZ.

Watch the full video here: http://ping.fm/37HQs

Will Bankrupting Gaddafi's Libya Pave the Way for Rebel Victory? - http://ping.fm/dSVvc

Will Bankrupting Gaddafi's Libya Pave the Way for Rebel Victory?

As the Libyan power struggle drags into week seven, rebels and pro-Gaddafi forces continue to struggle for a foot hold, prompting heightened UN concern for civilians' welfare in that country. 48 hours after Defence Dateline reported that “the tide has been firmly turned in the battle for Libya”, a pro-Gaddafi counter-attack and subsequent advance has once again reversed rebel gains. A frontline has now coalesced around Brega, 665 km from Tripoli. With no major advances from either side in several days, critics of the intervention are now casting the pitched battle as a stalemate.

Stalled advances and political blunders

Frontline reports have failed to provide a definitive explanation as to why the rebel advance has stalled. Words of warning were given by US Vice Admiral William Gortney, who predicted that a lack of military discipline and equipment would make any rebel gains “tenuous”. Indeed, early gains in the rebel offensive may have merely been a reflection of high levels of partisan enthusiasm. Though poorly organised, rebel morale was bourne up by western military assistance and popular media support. This initial advantage, it seems, has been effectively countered by pro-Gaddafi forces who have adapted tactics to avoid coalition attacks. The frequency of coalition air strikes, now operating under NATO command, has also suffered a visible decline since the early days of round-the-clock missions. This scaling back of attacks is officially due to poor-visibility over the weekend, though NATO critics point to the vehement opposition of Turkey and Germany to NATO assuming command and argue that reduced air sorties may, in fact, reflect a tightening of the agreed ROE.

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British Army and Royal Navy release details of redundancy schemes

The Army and the Royal Navy yesterday released the details of their redundancy programme to their personnel. The specific trades and branches of each service which are affected by the first tranche of the redundancy programme, along with the numbers being sought from each area have been announced.

In October, following the SDSR the MOD announced that it would be reducing the number of military personnel by 17,000 across all three services; 7,000 from the Army, 5,000 from the Royal Navy and 5,000 from the RAF. While some of these reductions will be achieved through a decrease in recruiting and not replacing those who leave, there will still need to be around 11,000 redundancies. Each service will run a number of redundancy tranches over the next four years with reductions planned to be fully achieved by April 2015.

Although this is a compulsory programme, volunteers will be sought.

The Army has identified 150 redundancy fields by looking at where the Army is in surplus now and where it will still be in surplus in 2015. For this first tranche, there will be approximately 1,000 redundancies, half of which are expected to be volunteers. About 25% of those being made redundant in this tranche will be officers, but no one with less than 8 years experience will be made redundant.

The first tranche of redundancies for the Royal Navy will result in a total of around 1600 redundancies from across a variety of the Naval Service’s specialisations and branches, and will include ratings and officers up to the rank of Captain. Those selected will be Officers from the Engineering, Medical, Warfare and Logistics Branches as well as Junior Ratings and Senior Ratings from a variety of Branches.

Armed Forces Minister Nick Harvey said:

“We have to ensure that our Armed Forces are best structured for the challenges they face both now and in the future. That said, we would of course prefer not to have to make any of our personnel redundant but unfortunately we inherited a huge deficit in the defence budget from our predecessors in government. On the dates redundancy notices are issued no personnel preparing for, deployed on, or returning from combat operations and on post-tour leave will be made compulsorily redundant.”

Read the full article at: http://www.defenceiq.com/tri-service/articles/british-army-and-royal-navy-release-details-of-red/

Will Smartphones Be Combat Tested and Proven for Forward Operations?

In recent months, the British Army announced its pioneering use of smartphone apps on the battlefield and in training scenarios with its use of the software to augment precision targeting for artillery rounds.

Spending on tech to save money
Troops now use Apple iPads to learn correct procedure and master technical jargon. Given its success, the Royal Air Force is also looking to roll out a 3D imaging app for pilots in order to familiarise them with the appearance of ground targets and vehicles when viewed from the air.

Army training officer Major Rich Gill, who oversaw the initiative, believes the measure will save on costs over more traditional methods.

"If we can use this sort of technology, we can probably shorten the amount of training and that is pretty key nowadays when people are so committed to operations in Afghanistan.”

A renewed fervour in research and investment in consumer digital technologies comes at a time when many defence forces are looking for streamlined and cost-saving training augments. The Swedish Armed Forces’ use of off-the-shelf gaming technology to train fighter pilots and the Italian Navy’s use of transference of its learning materials to web-based platforms are two prime examples.

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Airborne Reconnaissance and Surveillance Developments At a Glance

A recent number of add-on pod systems for coalition strike air platforms in Afghan and Iraqi theatres has added recon capability to aircraft not typically employed as reconnaissance platforms. This has proved necessary to overcome operational requirements in Afghanistan and Iraq – as demands have increased for current and relevant intelligence.

Dutch F-16s have been flying with upgraded sensor pods since 2010, with reports of near-seamless performance. This development corroborates the focus of a recent study by NATO which has highlighted the need for integration of intelligence - gathering capability. Due to the wide range of intelligence-gathering systems currently deployed, timely data processing has become that more critical.

Enter MAJIIC (Multi-sensor Aerospace-ground ISR Interoperability Coalition), a multinational project “dedicated to developing coalition capabilities for the interoperability and integration of intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) systems within a network enabled environment”. Project spokesmen emphasise that next generation systems will be forced to cope with data streams emanating from an ever-increasing range of sources.

Progress on the technology front is also accelerating. Whereas public perception of surveillance UAVs is still largely focused on Reaper and Global Hawk capabilities, an ongoing DARPA/ AeroVironment project has produced an operational humming-bird sized UAV.

Read the full article at: http://ping.fm/fuP5l

Standardised urban warfare training is essential for future conflict

Joint urban SERE training capabilities will have a huge impact the way that forces operate in future conflicts especially with regards to coalition missions like the one currently being played out in Libya.

Talking to Defence IQ ahead of the Joint Personnel Recovery event in June, Major Bart Holewijn, Commander at the Royal Netherlands SERE School, said that standard joint capabilities as outlined in the latest NATO doctrine, released in January, will ensure standardised training methods that would not have been considered six months ago.

"In the past if you were working in a coalition you would sit together and talk about what procedures you should follow. Of course everyone had their own national procedures and you had to try and find some common ground."

"The fact that training is now standardised will very much help in PR missions and future NATO operations as people now know that these are the methods that we need to adhere to. It makes procedure more easy to follow."

With defence budgets being cut Major Holewijn also states that it makes sense for countries to set up joint training ventures such as the one between the Netherlands and Belgian training schools that he heads up.

"Combining schools into a multi-lateral or bi-lateral school system could make it much more efficient to train students and ultimately save money, which is a consequence of decreasing budgets. Working together will be the biggest trend over the next 12 months."

Major Holewijn also stated that more emphasis will be placed on training troops for exploitation on TV which he believes is a much bigger problem than interrogation when they are captured.