Editorial

We are excited to unveil the new and improved JAPCC Journal, offering a transformative reading experience with captivating articles. To begin, it is crucial to highlight that the enduring conflict between tyranny and liberty remains foremost in our minds as Russia continues its reckless actions in Ukraine. However, despite the challenges, the Ukrainian Army demonstrates remarkable courage and skill, effectively countering Russia’s delusions of effortless conquest. Furthermore, the Ukrainian Army’s capabilities and resources have been significantly strengthened, propelling the nation towards new horizons of possibility. The relentless spread and rapid advancement of today’s formidable technologies, be it cyber, hypersonics, or artificial intelligence, cannot be ignored or left unchecked. Predicting future developments in any technology is always a precarious task. However, our authors, relying on expertise and knowledge gained from the emerging technological realities, provide a series of educated guesses on a multitude of relevant topics.

This edition commences with an enlightening article by our Executive Director, Lieutenant General Thorsten Poschwatta, who provides detailed accounts of the largest deployment and live flying exercise of air forces since the inception of NATO, the successful exercise Air Defender 23. Continuing our exploration of the military landscape, the Czech Air Chief, Major General Petr Čepelka, shares invaluable insights into the transformative changes witnessed in recent years and the imminent challenges for a thriving and esteemed Air Force. Further, the Commander of the Italian Navy Fleet, Vice Admiral Aurelio De Carolis, provides a comprehensive overview of the Italian Navy Carrier Strike Group, its composition, current challenges, and prospects, expanding on its vital contribution to maritime air power. Advancing, the journal explores a diverse range of significant and pertinent subjects. These include the inherent implications of hypersonic weapons on deterrence and potential solutions to facilitate the rapid deployment of forces during emergent operations. We continue with the intelligence considerations of fifth-generation aircraft, and advancements in studying pilots’ cognitive states to enhance training and performance. We go on with the need for an Agile Combat Employment concept for NATO, considerations on maintaining decision superiority through better situational awareness, a more efficient decision-making process, and greater adaptability. The journal concludes with a preliminary of Electronic Warfare lessons from the Ukraine battlefield, and the effectiveness of synergistic employment of kinetic and non-kinetic operations to optimize outcomes in multi-domain operations.

Thank you for taking the time to explore this newly redesigned edition of our journal. I would like to particularly express my sincerest gratitude to all our contributing authors. We highly value your feedback as it will help us enhance and advance the discussion on the Transformation of Joint Air and Space Power. Please reach out and visit our website at www.japcc.org, follow us on LinkedIn or X, or email us at .

Paul Herber
Air Commodore, NE AF
Assistant Director, JAPCC