Impact of CF Transformation: Air Command sends October Update

Air Force logo This fourth update on Canadian Forces Transformation focuses on Canada Command and how air power will be employed within the new Command structure. The Defence policy statement issued last spring by the Government of Canada called for the formation of an operational level command responsible for the entire spectrum of domestic (North American) operations (routine and contingency). Canada Command, as the first military responder to Canadians, will develop and nurture close relationships with national, provincial and local civil authorities so that when required, military responses are well coordinated and tailored to the needs of emergency response

Organizations in Canada Command, therefore, we will see the formation of a Joint Operational level HQ responsible for all facets of domestic operations in Canada.

At the end of June, the CDS appointed Vice Admiral J.Y. Forcier as the first commander of Canada Command. Since then, the Canada Command staff has been hard at work drafting a concept of operations for itself as well as the six subordinate regional joint task forces (Atlantic, East, Central, Prairie, Pacific and North). For the very first time, a joint and integrated chain of command at the national level will have the immediate authority to deploy Maritime, Land and Air assets in their areas of responsibility in support of domestic operations. The end state of this new command will be the ability to bring an integrated military response to a given domestic area for maximum effect.

The Air Force will be an integral component of Canada Command and will have an appropriate representation at the new operational level Headquarters in Ottawa and within each of the new Regional Headquarters. The Commander 1 Canadian Air Division has been selected as the Combined Force Air Component Commander (CFACC) for Canada Command. The Air Component headquarters will be generated from an internal re-alignment of the 1 Canadian Air Division. Equipped with a robust air operations centre, the Commander 1 Canadian Air Division is well positioned to serve the needs of Canada Command in delivering aerospace power. At the regional level, air control elements will be established to provide the task force commander with access and visibility into the national aerospace planning process.

On 01 Feb 06, I will divest myself of force employment responsibilities and Canada Command will become the force employer for domestic operations. Canada Command will have authority over all aircraft (less NORAD and CANSOFCOM assigned assets) tasked for domestic operations. Essentially, if you fly a sortie in support of a domestic defence task (i.e. provide national air mobility or search and rescue), then you will be working through the CFACC (Commander 1 Canadian Air Division) for the Commander of Air Command. Basically, Canada Command will become the force employer and Air Command will become the Force generator. Thus Commander, 1 Canadian Air Division will report to Commander Canada Command for most domestic force employment, CAS for most Force generation and Commander NORAD for Air Defence.

Commander Canada Command will also have the ability to call upon all aerospace resources within our inventory needed to respond to a domestic crisis situation. Preparing for such contingencies will be the primary mandate of the Regional Headquarters staffs. Over the next few months, the relationship between the new regional joint task forces and the Wings will be refined and guidance promulgated by Commander 1 Cdn Air Division.

For more on the Canadian Forces Transformation, visit the web site of the Chief of Defense Staff at www.cds.forces.gc.ca/cft-tfc/intro_e.asp

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