The Role of Air Support in Peacekeeping
By Brig Gen P.J. Gerber SD, MMM (SAAF Ret)
1. INTRODUCTION:
Peacekeeping is often regarded as a Land Forces based activity. This White Paper explores the role of Air Support in Peacekeeping missions. Peacekeeping, by definition, means that there are powers/forces at play that are upsetting, or intend to upset the peace in a particular region. Usually these forces intend to overthrow a government by armed means and could be completely internal to the international boundaries of a state, but are most often supported by neighbouring states. Such neighbouring states could provide support even up to a point where they actually provide transport, weapons and/or sanctuary to the rebel forces and sometimes get involved in exchanges of fire with government or peacekeeping forces and even air intervention. Support by a foreign power almost always contains a political manoeuvre as well.
Whichever way the rebel forces are employed or supported, it gives rise to similar circumstances on the ground. Usually, the government forces lack the means to properly defend themselves, hence the requirement for peace support operations. Although the deployment of administrative troops and medical assistance to bolster deficiencies in the targeted government’s capabilities are usual, the deployment of combat troops is also common. Peacekeeping operations could be under the auspices of the UN, the AU or similar organisations, or could be outside the umbrella of such organisations. Among the first actions to support peace in a region is the deployment of air power on a progressive scale. Small arms and even heavy machine gun fire is often directed at peace support aircraft over flying rebel deployments, but usually with marginal effect. However, because of the proliferation of shoulder-launched missiles of various makes and sophistication, rebel forces now pose a real threat to all kinds of aircraft that are not fitted with appropriate platform self-protection electronic warfare systems or devices.
2. LIGHT FIXED-WING AIRCRAFT
These are usually amongst the first aircraft deployed to provide reconnaissance, communication and casualty evacuation flights, especially in areas where there are no proper roads or where road travel is too dangerous or time-consuming, due to the condition of the roads, or the fact that the roads pass through rebel held territory, with a high threat of being ambushed.
3. HEAVY AND MEDIUM LIFT AIR TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT
The use of these aircraft is synonymous with troop deployments in order to firstly transport troops into a region and secondly, to sustain the troops with all kinds of freight, varying from food to equipment to heavy weapons. There are four main aspects to the employment these aircraft. Firstly, these aircraft are deployed to properly developed air bases to unload personnel and equipment for further distribution by light transport aircraft, helicopters or road and to take personnel and freight back home. Secondly, some types of these aircraft are capable to fly into semi-prepared strips to directly reach deployed forces. Thirdly, these aircraft could be used for direct supply dropping by means of parachute extraction of freight, directly to deployed troops in day or at night. Fourthly, transport aircraft are the vehicles of choice to drop paratroopers into their targets and to deploy Special Forces by parachute.
4. TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS
The utility of transport helicopters in peace support is so pervasive, that it is hardly imaginable to conduct peace support operations without these. In peace support, transport helicopters are mainly used to further distribute airfreight and personnel flown in by fixed-wing transport aircraft to remote locations. As the situation heats up, transport helicopters are used to insert airborne troops into tactical positions and to rapidly redeploy the troops as the tactical situation dictates, as well as to evacuate casualties to the nearest medical facility.
5. ARMED HELICOPTERS
Armed helicopters and specialised helicopter gunships serves in the opening stages of peace support operations as an immediate deterrent. As the situation heats up and maybe escalates, armed helicopters are used to escort transport helicopters in areas where armed resistance can be expected. Armed helicopters and gunships could also be employed to provide fire support to ground troops engaged in contact with the enemy. Strict rules of engagement usually apply to the use of armed helicopters, to ensure their safety.
6. PLATFORM SELF-PROTECTION ELECTRONIC WARFARE SYSTEMS
All the types and classes of aircraft previously mentioned should, as a minimum, be fitted with at least missile approach warning systems and chaff and flare countermeasure dispensers, as protection against missile threats.
7. REMOTELY PILOTED VEHICLES
The capabilities of remotely piloted vehicles (RPVs) are increasing in leaps and bounds. RPV systems are mainly employed for two reasons. Firstly they can be used in areas where the anti-air threat is so intense to preclude the use of manned aircraft and secondly, some RPV systems are fairly small and easy to deploy to forward locations. Here they can perform a host of tasks, ranging from electro-optical reconnaissance, sending pictures in real time, to electronic data gathering and can even be employed as kamikaze type flying bombs, cruise missiles being at the top end of the scale in this role. In peace support operations, RPVs are mostly employed in the reconnaissance role.
8. LIGHT FIGHTERS
The employment of fighter aircraft heralds a step-up in the seriousness of peace support operations and brings with it a large corresponding step-up of facilities required. Light fighters need to operate from airfields or forward airfields that are equipped with the required ground support equipment and command and control capabilities must be in place for the conduct of fighter operations. The airfields to which fighters are deployed, immediately become attractive targets and measures to protect these airfields need to be employed, ranging from the deployment of early warning radar and antiaircraft systems to armed helicopter and infantry patrols around.....
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