Building Capacity from Within: The Need for a Rotary Wing SFA Capability
Abstract
The latest National Defense Strategy and National Military Strategy are replete with guidance for building partnership capacity (BPC). Although the United States has executed similar type operations since the 1950s, but under the guise of other operational constructs, they were relatively small-scale and received little attention at the strategic level. In an era of persistent conflict, some senior leaders within the military are beginning to realize the importance of BPC and its direct linkage to national security. However, much like past efforts, BPC related activities lack a concerted focus as does the types of units designated or designed to conduct this unique type of training, particularly in the field of rotary wing aviation. This paper examines strategic guidance for BPC, depicts a strategic environment that requires the force to be re-balanced, reviews historical examples in which bureaucracy and inter-service rivalries hampered over-all training efforts, and on-going BPC efforts utilizing current aviation force structure and "specialized" units. This paper concludes with a series of recommendations that support the development of a Joint Rotary Wing Security Force Assistance (SFA) organization along with the utilization of general purpose aviation forces to meet future BPC demands.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518408
Entities
People
- John W Thompson
Organizations
- United States Army War College