Will Missile Defense become a separate organization ?

[SpacemanSpiff]

Is there any indication that missile defense (and perhaps ground based air defense) will be removed from the air force, and become a separate organization ?

Currently the air force (like all airforces) is run by pilots, with the perspectives and priorities of pilots. I hope missile defense is not treated like an unwanted step-child.

Thoughts, anyone ?

[betgilson]

the Missile defense will be in good hands anyway I am sure.

If it stays on IAF charge or to the IDF or whatever, they all have awsome experience and competence.

BUT I guess, a new special force trained from experienced IAF and IDF personal combining know how. This is the way.

Currently the air force (like all airforces) is run by pilots, with the perspectives and priorities of pilots

hmmmm! The IAF always thought of its fellows on the ground, ever.

[Gilads]

hmmmm! The IAF always thought of its fellows on the ground, ever.

Not saying that pilots don't think or care about their comrades on the ground, but it is a fact that they don't see things the same way.

This was especially evident during Dan Halutz's time as Chief of General Staff.

[Paparock]

Is there any indication that missile defense (and perhaps ground based air defense) will be removed from the air force, and become a separate organization ?

Currently the air force (like all airforces) is run by pilots, with the perspectives and priorities of pilots. I hope missile defense is not treated like an unwanted step-child.

Thoughts, anyone ?



Even if it does there needs to be a link between the two. During Vietnam the Air Defense Officers and Fighter Pilots met together on a regular basis to talk strategy but also to just stay in contact with each other. That way the men the aircraft that were blips on a radar screen became faces to the men that would have to fire the missiles and to the Pilots the Air Defense men became fellow soldiers that had their missions to do also with faces and not just viewed as a possible threat. A team is far more effective than two groups competing and even at odds sometimes. Transponders can be damaged in air to air combat or from ground to air fire so working out alternate means of Identification when IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) fails can mean the difference between life and death. That requires Teamwork between Air Defense forces and Air Forces working together. There were tricks the North Vietnamese used in the set-up of their anti-aircraft guns in coordination with their missiles in order to make both more effective against American aircraft. There are also things designed into American Air Defense missiles that make them attack enemy aircraft totally differently than soviet anti-aircraft missiles do in many cases. These differences have to be learned by pilots because they have very little time in order to identify the launch of a missile and its possible impact. There are different countermeasures that work and some that are just a waste of precious time dependant on what is closing on you. I know your Israeli Air Defense people are very knowledgeable as I trained with some at Fort Bliss, Texas.

[SpacemanSpiff]

I could argue that Missile Defense should be under Home Front Command, since it is Home Front Command that will need to clean up the mess (perform search and rescue, NBC decontamination, etc.) if the missile defense fails.