Airbases do not feature significantly in the history of air power unless they are denied. Absence or scarcity is what usually brings them to prominence. The Pacific theatre of World War Two has been described as a battle for airfields with islands taken or bypassed according to the significance of airfields.
The lack of focus on airfields is surprising, given that Australia’s fixed-wing aviation depends on them to operate. For the foreseeable future, civil and military aviation will require airfields. The potential location of airfields is constrained by terrain, both natural and human. To support most military and civilian aviation needs, airfields must be 3000 metres long and have high pavement strength. While pavements can be built if required, three kilometres of clear, level and firm ground close to the support of human habitation is not common.
This proximity to habitation is driven by access to logistics, workforce and consumables. This also creates some competition for these resources with industry and growing communities. The majority of the world’s airports and airbases were built more than half a century ago, and the options for future airfields are constrained; the multi-decade delay to construction of Sydney’s Badgery Creek airport is testament. Military airbases face greater issue with noise templates and international law constraints.
Air forces focus on platforms, land forces focus on the soldier, and navies on ships. Mounting bases, unless the site of a major battle, are generally ignored in history. Aircraft are the ‘totems’ of airpower, both figuratively and literally, judging by the number mounted on posts outside airbases. Airfields feature rarely, with the Battle of Britain being a notable exception where sector stations such as RAF Biggin Hill becoming famous in their own right.
Airbases must receive greater attention as essential foundations of air power. One of the traditional considerations for the application of air power is impermanence; yet airbases provide the equivalent permanence of mounting operations in any other operational domain, and air fundamental to air power. This consideration captures the always theme of the RAAF centenary.
To look at then, we must cast back into history. The characteristics of level and clear ground, close to support drove Henry Petre’s selection of Point Cook as the site for Australia’s first airbase, over Duntroon. At sea level and near the city and port of Melbourne, Point Cook was a far better choice. These characteristics remain pertinent today, with consideration of RAAF Base Scherger continuing to highlight the importance to airbases of access to support, including fuel supply. Following No 1 Squadron’s deployment to the Palestinian Campaign in 1916, as part of the Australian Flying Corps (AFC), bases were then selected on the same enduring constraints.
Power projection and the ability to defend were also identified as essential characteristics for airbases during conflict. Long transits are demanding of crew, fuel and maintenance. Airbases close to the front became targets for enemy attack. The AFC developed a model of three types of bases: an aeroplane park for delivery, assembly, and maintenance; an operating base, home to the workforce and logistics; and forward landing grounds that placed aircraft temporarily close to front. The aeroplane parks were semi-permanent, with many surviving the war. Operating bases and forward landing fields, by contrast, moved with the tide of war.
The peace that followed World War One saw airbases become permanent establishments with tarmac runways and permanent maintenance facilities. All of these elements were useful for raising, training and sustaining the force, but less suited to war. The fate of Darwin in 1942 highlights the risk of short memories, and that efficiency is not the same as effectiveness. The rapid retreat inland from Darwin and the proliferation of dispersed landing grounds along the highways south and west, to disperse and protect aircraft, fuel and maintenance assets is a lesson that should not be forgotten. Given the RAAF’s leadership were aware that the Battle of Britain had seen dispersal to satellite fields, and had also seen the spectacular fate of Hickam and Pearl Harbour, it is surprising that more was not done to disperse and protect Australia’s capabilities.
Post-war Australia saw a return to large bases with increased investment in fixed structures, far from any likely battlespace. This trend has continued with the efficiencies and cost effectiveness of ‘Super Bases’ such as RAAF Base Amberley. The Defence of Australia policy did see the construction of the northern bare bases, but upkeep and provision of services has been the basis of controversy and debate. It is worth noting that these airbases, now more than a quarter of a century old, were the last new airbases built.
The now is looking increasingly dangerous. Modern air bases are, to targeteers, ‘a target-rich-environment’: large, fixed airbases are at ever increasing risk from precision stand-off and hypersonic weapons. Drone attack is a new and evolving threat. To an adversary in war, there would be little appetite for engaging an F-35 in combat when their airbase and crew provide an easier target: a ‘pre-airborne’ option to disrupt air power may be more attractive.
What can we do now to begin to ameliorate risk? The traditional concepts of dispersal and mobility remain valid. What does the modern air platform need to conduct a mission? Fuel, ordnance, and crew rotation for manned platforms remain part of the always. Access to information is an increasing requirement, and while maintenance remains, modern design and reliability lessens this demand.
Air Forces that sit on the forward edge of the battle space with small territory, such as Finland and Singapore, protect fixed assets underground and by dispersal. The precious runway capability is maintained by redundancy using hardened dual-use roads.
The RAAF has its own role model: remote stretches of highway have been purpose-built to support Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) operations. There are multiple locations that double as RFDS landing strips and one near Broken Hill is named after the RFDS architect, Cliff Peel, a young 3 Squadron AFC pilot who lost his life operating from a forward dispersal strip in the closing weeks of World War One.
Of the consumables, fuel can (at some cost) be provided airborne, and ordnance delivered by road or air to dispersal sites. The enduring problem is access to those precious three kilometres of runway. The question at the heart of the matter is, do we need a new model for airbases? Air power’s need for airbases in always, and the threat then is increasingly now.
Comments
Ex back
I really want to thank Dr Emu for saving my marriage. My wife really treated me badly and left home for almost 3 month this got me sick and confused. Then I told my friend about how my wife has changed towards me. Then she told me to contact Dr Emu that he will help me bring back my wife and change her back to a good woman. I never believed in all this but I gave it a try. Dr Emu casted a spell of return of love on her, and my wife came back home for forgiveness and today we are happy again. If you are going through any relationship stress or you want back your Ex or Divorce husband you can contact his email emutemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp +2348071657174
Https://web.facebook.com/Emu-Temple-104891335203341
Get ABITUR, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE,GEOTHE,OET, DIPLOMA WhatsApp: +44
Get ABITUR, IELTS, TOEFL, PTE,GEOTHE,OET, DIPLOMA WhatsApp: +447401473736
Get your Degree & Certificate without Exams and get the best results
We also issue fake & legal documents likes ( PASSPORT, ID CARD, DRIVING LICENSE, DEATH CERTIFICATE, BIRTH CERTIFICATE, IELTS, DEGREE, CPSO)and other documents as well. very authentic documents within a short time frame, for more information
Our large platform is a professional team committed to providing you with valid DALF, DELF, TCF, TEF, CELPIP, IELTS, PTE, Goethe & other language certifications without Exam. we provide Official Language certificate with registration into the database and also actual center stamps for customers interested in obtaining the certificates without taking the test.
1) Get exam materials to prepare you for upcoming test.
2) Renew your expired certificate without taking another test.
3) We also assist candidates to register for any of the above tests.
4) Obtain a certificate without taking the exam if you meet the requirement.
5) Follow our guide and change your failed results to a pass.
Email-: qualitybills-documents@hotmail.com
Telegram: @Ranko3222
WhatsApp: +447401473736
https://toprapidsolution.blogspot.com/
USE ANY OF THE ABOVE TO CONTATC IF ONLY YOU ARE 100% SERIOUS/ NO TIME WASTERS
How to join the illuminati brother now
CONTACT Mr Joseph Lucky, IS A NICE MAN..Call (+2348056484618) or add him on WhatsApp (+2348056484618) I was thinking that illuminati is not real, But today with Mr Joseph Lucky, I now believe that illuminati is real, when you come across wrong person’s you will think that life is not real but when you are with the real one you will experience the goodness of your life, To Mr Joseph Lucky, has made me discovered my purpose of life. Welcome to the great brotherhood of Illuminati 666: . WhatsApp Mr Joseph Lucky,from , Italy , and every other Country’s on how to join the Illuminati brotherhood to get rich and famous, You may be a politician, business man/woman ,musical artist, student, footballer or whatever occupation you do, you want to be rich, powerful and famous in life. Illuminati can grant all your heart desires join the Illuminati to become rich and famous in life, Illuminati will make you achieve all your dream to become rich and protected all the days of your life…… BENEFIT GIVEN TO A NEW MEMBER WHO JOIN THE ILLUMINATI a cash reward of usd $2.5million USD a new sleek dream car valued at USD $10,000.00USD a dream house build in any country of your own choice one month holiday (fully paid) to your dream tourist destination.One year golf membership package a V I P treatment in all airports in the world a total lifestyle change access to bohemian grove monthly payment of$20,000USD into your bank account every month as a member, one month booked appointment with top 5 world leaders and top 5 celebrities in the world» JOIN ILLUMINATI YOUR FINANCIALDIFFICULTIES ARE BROUGHT TO AN END. WE SUPPORT YOU BOTH FINANCIALLYAND SPIRITUALLY TO ENSURE YOU LIVE A COMFORTABLE LIFE . IF YOU ARE INTERESTED CONTACT Mr Joseph Lucky. Whatsapp. (+2348056484618) Or call
(+2348056484618) email himon: Luckyseph1113@gmail.com, For immediately response… My Regard to Mr Joseph Lucky ..............
How to join the illuminati
CONTACT Mr Jude Gabriel call (+2349010175450 or WhatsApp him through this number +2349010175450 or Email: illuminatiworldofsociety1@gmail.com Hello everyone my name is David Owen am from USA I am here to give a testimony on how I joined the illuminati brotherhood, I was trying to join this organization for so many years now,I was scammed by fake agent in south Africa and Nigeria,I was down,I could not feed my self and my family anymore and I tried to make money by all miss but all invail, I was afraid to contact any illuminati agent because they have eat my money,One day I across a post of someone giving a testimony, thanking a man called Jude Gabriel of being helping him to join the illuminati brotherhood, then I look at the man email and the phone number that was written there, it was a nigeria number I was afraid to contact him because a nigerian agent eat my $2000 and go away with the money then I was very tired, confused and I decided to contact the person that was given the testimony and i called him and I communicated with him on phone calls before he started telling me his own story about when he wanted to join, he told me everything to do, then I made up my mind and called the agent called Jude Gabriel and he told me everything to do, and I was initiated, surprisely I was given my benefit of being a new member of the great illuminati brotherhood I was so happy,For those of you trying to join this organization this is your opportunity for you to join CONTACT MR Jude Gabriel call (+2349010175450 or WhatsApp him +2349010175450 or email: illuminatiworldofsociety1@gmail.com
Spell Caster
I am sharing this testimony to partners suffering in their relationships because there is an enduring solution. My husband left me and our 2 kids for another woman for a year. I tried to be strong just for my kids but I could not control the pains that torment my heart. I was hurt and confused. I needed help, so I did some research on the internet and came across a site where I saw that DR. ODESHI, a spell caster, can help get lovers back. I contacted him and he did a special prayer and spell for me. To my surprise, after 48 hours my husband came back home. and I have been living in peace and joy in the family. You can contact him on his website: https://drodeshipowerfulsp.wixsite.com/odeshi or via email: drodeshipowerfulspell@gmail.com or https://wa.me/+2347011823004
illuminati
Hello everyone, I was browsing the internet and I saw a lot of wrong quote concerning the Illuminati society, I felt bad about it, I want to let you know few things about the Illuminati society. first, I join the Illuminati society through the help of an agent someone introduced me to online, after years of determination to be a member. being a member of the Illuminatiyour wealth is guarantee, you will be protected, fame, power influence e.t.c all these they will give you. one thing I want to correct is that the illuminati don't pay member any salary, if you are newly initiated they will give you the seed of wealth and bless you with wisdom, power, influence e.t.c you need to be successful the seed of wealth is the only money the illuminati society give to their member, with this you can start anything with the money and you will be successful. another thing is that the society have special blessing for politicians and superstars. being an illuminati member is a personal decision, the society don't force or beg people to join them. I joined because I want to, nobody force me and am very happy to be a member today because they have contributed greatly to my life by making me one of the leading business woman in the world. if you are interested in joining the illuminati society contact agent sir Aydin Baris on whatspp +2349137776977 he was the one that helped me, or email us illuminaticultofrich666@gmail.com ............
illuminati
JOIN THE ILLUMINATI BROTHERHOOD
The Illuminati is a powerful and influential organization made up of multimillionaires, billionaires, and elite individuals who shape global affairs—including the formation of the New World Order. Many world leaders, presidents, prime ministers, royalty, and top executives from Fortune 500 companies in the USA are proud members of this secret society.By joining the Illuminati, you gain access to a network of mysterious forces that can elevate your life beyond imagination. Whether you seek wealth, success in business, fame, or power, the Illuminati can make your dreams a reality.
Don’t hesitate—contact mr Richard Fred via WhatsApp: +2348138516093 or Email: illuminatisociety579@gmail.com
HAIL THE LIGHT.
Add new comment