11 August 2023
Operating from a Bushmaster protected mobility vehicle forward of 7th Brigade main headquarters, air liaison officer Squadron Leader Luke Georgeson listened to the fires net as land forces prepared to assault an objective during Talisman Sabre.
“This is the first time the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) has employed their data link system, Link 16, to support ground elements move through the battle space,” Squadron Leader Georgeson said.
“Aviation assets prosecute targets coordinated by the TACP or the joint fires teams within the battle groups … but they also provide surveillance and reconnaissance which is fed back into the operating picture.
“Our priority is to ensure the application of air power throughout the battlespace supports the land scheme of manoeuvre.”
This agile command and control function enables the brigade to deliver synchronised air effects across the battle space, which also supports a low signature, and dispersed and survivable headquarters construct.
“Throughout 7th Brigade’s training progression this year, including Talisman Sabre 23, we’ve coordinated fires and logistics drops while on the move and dislocated across the area of operations," Squadron Leader Georgeson said.
“The brigade now has an enhanced, real time capability in calling in close air support tasks, strike, stores drops and situational awareness on the air picture provided by the TACP’s joint terminal attack controllers and specialised aviators.”
The integration between RAAF and Army has not always been seamless and 7th Brigade deputy air liaison officer Flight Lieutenant Sean Rendell has worked through the friction from within the brigade.
“The key difficulty for Air Force is working to timelines that we are not used to or can’t immediately facilitate; we need to provide flexibility to the land commander, while also being efficient with the use of air assets” said Flight Lieutenant Rendell.
“This is a learning outcome for both Air Force and the Army and a good problem for us to readily see and improve upon.”
“The integration of land and air power within the joint force is only going to grow and we have made some great steps forward during Talisman Sabre.”
