Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, CAS visited the College of Air Warfare to address officers undergoing the 45th Higher Air Command Course. CAS spoke of the security situation, developments in indigenisation, need for enhancing jointness & steps taken to enable strategic autonomy.

CAS highlighted the significance of the course in imparting higher learning & strategic perspective to the officers from the three services, who will be entrusted with challenging Command & Staff appointments in their careers ahead.

All About College of Air Warfare

College of Air Warfareis a premier Indian Air Force tri-service institution of higher learning, which conducts a number of courses on Air Warfare for officers of the rank of Flt Lt to Gp Capt and equivalents from all the three services. In addition, the College also conducts the Senior Officers’ Study Period (SOSP) for Air Cmde and equivalents and the ‘Combined Operational Review and Evaluation (CORE) Programme’ for senior officers in the rank of Air Vice Marshal and their equivalents of the three services. Various courses and programmes are conducted in the art of Joint Warfare, with special emphasis on employment of Air Power. The functional and administrative control of the College is with HQ Training Command.

AIM & TRAINING OBJECTIVES AT CAW

Mission

• To evolve the process of learning of air war and promote co-operation in conduct of air operations that leads to effective and efficient utilisation of air power strategy.

Role

• To assist in development of Air Force doctrines, concepts and strategy.
• To study and teach ‘Air Power’ and conduct training in concepts of Air Warfare.
• To conduct training in Joint Air Operations for officers of Army, Navy and Air Force.
• To conduct computer aided War-Games of the Air War.
• To establish and maintain liaison with similar organisations in the other countries.
• To impart training to junior and middle level officers of the Indian Air Force in leadership and behavioural sciences, so as to improve their qualities of leadership and man management.
• To research, compile and publish books on IAF Personalities, Institutions, Campaigns and Squadrons

COURSES

Higher Air Command Course (HACC)

The aim of Higher Air Command Course (HACC) is to train selected Gp Capts/Wg Cdrs of Flying Branch and equivalent officers of the Army and Navy for Senior Command and Staff Appointments connected with planning and execution of air operations and Command of major flying stations and equivalent posts in Army and Navy. The duration of each course is 44 weeks with a vacancy of 24 officers. The course contents include study of Air Power and the doctrine. Computer aided War Gaming, capsules on NBC. Administration, Law, EW and Management. They are also required to study and write a dissertation. A number of guest speakers are also invited to enhance understanding of a wide variety of subjects of current interest. Towards the end of the course, a joint war games is held at Army War College (AWC) at Mhow with students of Army and Navy Higher Command Courses. The course curriculum is rigorous and provides knowledge on issues related to national security, global security environment, innovative operational war fighting concepts and issues of strategic nature. The participants are also taken on tour of operational areas, military establishments and areas of economic interest, within India as well as neighbouring countries. The participants of the course who successfully complete the examinations on Research Methodology and Strategic Studies and submit a high quality research paper would be awarded the MPhil degree by Osmania University.

Basic Professional Knowledge Course-Flying (BPKC-F)

Basic Professional Knowledge Course (Flying) is an amalgamation of erstwhile Joint Air Warfare Course (JAWC) and Weapon Employment Course (WEC) as per the new pattern of in-service training. The course is compulsory for Flying (Pilot) and Flying (Navigation) branch officers of IAF within the seniority bracket of less than six years. The Course consists of Distance education (DE) over four months and Contact Programme (CP) for five weeks at the College. The aim of the Course is to impart knowledge on all aspects of air operations and emphasise the need for inter services co-ordination for success of joint operations at junior level for officers of Army, Navy and Air Force and officers from friendly foreign countries. A total of eight courses will be held in a year.

Ground Liaison Officers Course (GLOC)

The aim of Ground Liaison Officers course is to train potential Ground Liaison Officer of Army for duties of GLOs. The course is conducted twice in a year for duration of two weeks. The course vacancy is 20 Army officers.

Senior Officers Study Period (SOSP)

The aim of the study period is to provide senior officers of the three Services a forum to discuss and exchange ideas and update their knowledge on the latest tactics, concepts and procedures. Officers of the rank of Air Cmde and equivalent attend the programme. Duration of the study period is two weeks with a vacancy of 25 officers.

COMBINE OPERATIONAL REVIEW AND EVALUATION PROGRAMME (CORE)

The aim of the programme is to expose officers of the rank of Air Vice Marshal and equivalents of the other two services to National Security Policy and its formulation, developments in military strategy, doctrines and joint fighting capabilities and latest developments in defence production. The duration of the programme is two weeks with a vacancy of 25 officers.

TRAINING

Training Methodologies

The College uses a wide range of training methodologies commensurate with the knowledge, experience and service bracket of the participants. Some of the methodologies used are: –

• Group discussions: Group discussions are held to encourage the trainee officer’s to share their experiences and expertise with their fellow participants.
• Individual Presentations: Officers conduct lectures to improve their confidence and instructional capabilities.
• Group Presentations: Team of officers research and present papers on contemporary subjects related to individual services and national security.
• Book Reviews: Officers are encouraged to develop reading habits. Officers attending Courses are to read specific books and submit book reviews.

ALSO READ: What Is Air Force Technical College – AFTC

Air Chief Mshl RKS Bhadauria, CAS visited College of Air Warfare to address officers undergoing the 45th Higher Air Command Course.
CAS spoke of the security situation, developments in indigenisation, need for enhancing jointness & steps taken to enable strategic autonomy. pic.twitter.com/Gj8Timd8LF

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