Thu Sep 19 07:27:52 UTC 2024: ## US Air Forces in Europe Focus on Modernizing for Future Conflicts

**National Harbor, MD –** U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa Commander Gen. James Hecker highlighted the urgent need for modernized military capabilities and integration during a media roundtable at the Air, Space & Cyber Conference on Tuesday. Emphasizing the evolving nature of warfare, Hecker outlined five Operational Focus Areas, all crucial for adapting to emerging threats.

**Counter Anti-Access Area Denial (C-A2AD):** The general highlighted the need to effectively neutralize enemy surface-to-air missile systems, critical to ensuring air superiority in future conflicts. The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war serves as a stark reminder of the importance of C-A2AD strategies.

**Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD):** Hecker emphasized the growing threat from ballistic and cruise missiles, supplied to Russia by nations like Iran and North Korea. He stressed the need for developing new detection and countermeasures, including both kinetic and non-kinetic solutions.

**Agile Combat Employment (ACE):** Modern threats necessitate dispersing aircraft across multiple bases rather than relying on traditional single-base strategies. This, in turn, requires innovative methods for ensuring operational readiness and survival.

**Command and Control (C2):** Maintaining operational capability without direct headquarters contact is crucial in the modern era. Hecker stressed the importance of robust command and control systems with redundancy, enabling independent decision-making and flexible operations.

**Intelligence and Information Sharing (I&I):** Sharing real-time intelligence and combat data with allies is paramount for enhancing operational efficiency and reducing costs. Hecker stressed that information sharing must be a two-way street, enabling rapid increases in combat capability.

These focus areas were further discussed at the “Deterring Russia in the Arctic” panel, featuring Hecker alongside Lt. Gen. Case Cunningham (Alaskan Command), Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman (Swedish Air Force), and Maj. Gen. Øivind Gunnerud (Royal Norwegian Air Force).

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