Abstract In response to the 2009 Defence White Paper, the Australian Army is developing the Army Objective Force 2030 concept based on the 1st, 3rd and 7th manoeuvre brigades. This article examines the extant Army Aviation capability and identifies that due to its size and structure it is unable to effectively support this emerging force. This article argues that in order to fully embrace the Army Objective Force concept, radical change may be required within the Army Aviation capability and the …

Abstract This article argues that the Military Appreciation Process (MAP) does not support adaptation or complex problem solving, which are fundamental requirements of contemporary operations. An alternative model is presented that would preserve most existing doctrine while facilitating a shift away from linearity and prescription in favour of concurrency and description. How often people speak of art and science as though they were two entirely different things, with no interconnection. An artist is …

Abstract In order to best synchronise operations in Kandahar Province in 2009–10, Canada implemented the Battlespace Commander concept, where one military commander, partnered with Afghan government elements, became responsible for all security, reconstruction, governance and development in each district. A number of critical lessons remained a constant thread throughout one combat team’s deployment to Kandahar’s Dand District. While operations in other theatres and future conflicts will present challenges …

Abstract Success in counterinsurgency requires a careful balance between the ability to win the support of the people, and a finely honed close combat ability which can crush the enemy with precision whenever and wherever the opportunity arises. This article examines these issues from a commander’s perspective with a focus on counterinsurgency operations in Uruzgan in the second half of 2009. In doing so it focuses on two primary areas in which MRTF-2 modified its operational techniques: dispersed …

Abstract This article examines the role of culture in an insurgency and critically analyses the way that counterinsurgency operations address culture. Essentially, the article argues that Western counterinsurgency warfare generally assumes that the culture of a nation beset by an insurgency will adapt to population-centric approaches made by the counterinsurgent force. This assumption is the result of a fundamental mismatch between the theoretical/ideological underpinnings of counterinsurgency theory and a …

Volume 8, Number 2, Winter …

Nathan Coultis was a member of the Australian Army Intelligence Corps from 2003 to 2010. He served on a number of operational deployments, including to the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan, and in a number of specialist roles, including counterterrorism and counterinsurgency targeting operations. He has a Bachelor of Science from the University of the Sunshine Coast and is currently completing a Masters of Justice (Intelligence Studies) through the Queensland University of Technology. … Nathan …

Captain David Walker graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2003. He served as a troop commander in 39 Engineer Regiment and as SO3 Combat Engineers in the Headquarters Engineer in Chief. Captain Walker transferred to the Australian Army in 2006 and has served as a Project Engineer for the 19th Chief Engineer Works and as SO3 Engineer Doctrine, LWDC. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering and a Masters of Engineering Science (project management). He has seen operational service in …

Major Keith Wylie was allocated to the Australian Army Aviation Corps in September 1999. After successful completion of Pilots’ Course, Major Wylie served as a Black Hawk line pilot and troop commander within the 5th Aviation Regiment deploying to East Timor on Operations TANAGER and CITADEL. Major Wylie is a graduate of the Capability and Technology Management College and has filled Army Aviation capability positions in Headquarters 16th Aviation Brigade and the Defence Materiel Organisation. Major Wylie …

Major Ross Cable is a Royal Australian Armoured Corps officer and academy graduate who holds an Honours degree in History and an MBA from the University of Queensland. Major Cable commanded a first year squadron at ADFA in 2009 and 2010. His personal reflections on the academy comprise part of the implementation planning for the 2010 ADFA Review. Major Cable wishes to acknowledge the assistance of Major Ann Noris in editing this article. He also wishes to acknowledge discussions with a wide range of …