AIR WAR COLLECTION NOTES OPERATION OKRA

Operation OKRA demonstrated the characteristics of air power – reach, perspective, and responsiveness – in a number of ways:

  1. Reach: Reach refers to the ability of air power to operate at, into, or from any point within any given operational area. In Operation OKRA, the RAAF effectively demonstrated this capability. Aircraft like the F/A-18 Super Hornets and the E-7A Wedgetail were deployed to strike targets or conduct surveillance operations across Iraq and Syria. They had the reach to operate over these vast territories from bases in the UAE.

  2. Perspective: Perspective refers to the ability of air power to provide a broad view of the battle space, allowing for improved situational awareness. This was achieved through the use of airborne early warning and control systems such as the E-7A Wedgetail, which provided a comprehensive picture of the operational area and enhanced command and control capabilities.

  3. Responsiveness: Responsiveness is about the speed and ability of air power to react to changing situations. Operation OKRA demonstrated this through its quick reaction capabilities. The RAAF was able to swiftly conduct airstrikes against IS targets identified by intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets, and to adjust mission parameters in real-time based on evolving ground situations.

In terms of 'Air Power Contributions to Joint Effects', the operation employed various air power assets for strategic effect, force application, control of the air, information gathering, and support:

  1. Strategic Effect: The RAAF's air strikes were aimed at degrading the capabilities of ISIS, helping to drive the strategic objective of defeating the extremist group.

  2. Force Application: The RAAF conducted numerous airstrikes against ISIS targets, contributing to the direct application of force.

  3. Control of the Air: The RAAF's F/A-18s ensured air superiority, providing a safer environment for the Coalition ground forces and for the conduct of air operations.

  4. Information Gathering: The E-7A Wedgetail and other ISR assets gathered crucial information for battlefield awareness and target identification.

  5. Support: The RAAF provided logistical support such as air-to-air refuelling, aiding in the sustainment of air operations.

Air Power Considerations (Payload, Precision, Persistence, Dependency, Fragility, Agility) were addressed in various ways:

  1. Payload: The F/A-18 Super Hornets carried a diverse range of munitions, demonstrating the ability to deliver substantial payloads on targets.

  2. Precision: Precision-guided munitions were used extensively to ensure accurate strikes while minimizing collateral damage.

  3. Persistence: The RAAF’s tanker aircraft allowed for persistence in the battle space by providing air-to-air refuelling, enabling aircraft to remain on-station for extended periods.

  4. Dependency: The RAAF relied on ground-based support for maintenance, munitions, and fuel, highlighting the dependency of air power on other assets.

  5. Fragility: The RAAF had to manage the risk of aircraft being damaged or destroyed, both on the ground and in the air, demonstrating the inherent fragility of air power.

  6. Agility: The RAAF demonstrated agility by quickly adjusting to changing tactical situations, swiftly conducting strikes as new intelligence emerged.