Air Power, Insurgency and the “War on Terror” - Prof. Joel Hayward's ...

Chapter 14
Neglected Contributors:
The Continental European <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Power</strong>s
Christian F Anrig
Desert Storm <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> ensuing air campaigns over <strong>the</strong> Balkans revealed considerable
shortfalls in Continental European air power. On top of that, American airmen
considered allied military operations, <strong>the</strong> actual achievements of Continental
European air forces have been neglected. Seeking to bring balance, this article will in
particular examine <strong>the</strong> performances of <strong>the</strong> French <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal Ne<strong>the</strong>rl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>Air</strong> Forces.
The following arguments are divided into two main parts. First, Continental European
contributions to <strong>the</strong> so called “War on Terror” will be analysed, with a focus on operations
in Afghanistan. The underlying developments of Continental European air power will
<strong>the</strong>n be scrutinised in order to put <strong>the</strong> Continental European contributions into context.
Contributions by Continental European <strong>Air</strong> <strong>Power</strong>s to Operations in
Afghanistan <strong>and</strong> Elsewhere
Since <strong>the</strong> beginning, Continental European air powers have contributed to Operation
Enduring Freedom. In particular, <strong>the</strong> French <strong>Air</strong> Force has opened a new front, flying
into Afghanistan from Kyrgyzstan. A combined European F-16 unit finally replaced <strong>the</strong>
French detachment. Moreover, Continental European <strong>Air</strong> Forces played an important role
by providing intra-<strong>the</strong>atre airlift <strong>and</strong> combat helicopters for operations in Afghanistan.
The French <strong>Air</strong> Force in Afghanistan: Operation Héraclès
After September 11, <strong>the</strong> French <strong>Air</strong> Force was <strong>the</strong> first European air force to engage
targets in Afghanistan with fighter bombers. An intelligence-ga<strong>the</strong>ring phase preceded
<strong>the</strong>se engagements. From 23 September 2001, a French C160 Gabriel electronic
intelligence aircraft conducted missions over Afghanistan. This effort gained support from
<strong>the</strong> deployment of two Mirage IVP toge<strong>the</strong>r with two C-135 FR tanker aircraft to <strong>the</strong>
Arab Emirates, delivering important imagery intelligence. These assets provided France
with autonomous intelligence prior to dispatching <strong>the</strong>ir naval air arm <strong>and</strong> Mirage 2000 D
aircraft. 572 French imagery intelligence also helped <strong>the</strong> USAF to identify important targets
for <strong>the</strong>ir bombers. 574
Regarding <strong>the</strong> deployment of combat forces, <strong>the</strong> French approach was two-pronged. On
<strong>the</strong> one h<strong>and</strong>, French Super Entendards from <strong>the</strong> aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle had been
flying missions over Afghanistan since December 2001. Toge<strong>the</strong>r with Italian Navy Harriers
<strong>Air</strong> <strong>Power</strong>, <strong>Insurgency</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> “War on Terror” 241