Gulf nation focuses on training, educating air crews.

• Author: Tiron, Roxana
• Position: MIDDLE-EAST DEFENSE

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--Close to fielding one of the most advanced air forces in the Middle East, the United Arab Emirates is pushing to match the aircrews' proficiency with their sophisticated equipment.

This need becomes even more pressing as the service fleshes out plans for ballistic missile defense, improved command and control, and readies itself for the first delivery of 80 F-16 Block 60 fighters this month.

"In the end state, systems have to be very effective, and they [become] so by people having the right training and education," said Maj. Gen. Khalid Al-Bu Ainnain, commander of the Emirates' air force and air defense, in an interview with National Defense.

Therefore, aircrew education is gaining importance, Al-Bu Ainnain explained. "We have to build up knowledge, team work, decision-making and leadership. The human investment is very important."

With approximately 5,000 members, the air force has sought ways to streamline its operations. For one, the service is paperless and works entirely in an intranet system, he said. "We do not need more people, but we need to become more efficient in the way we do daily business."

Service headquarters are at Bateen Air Force Base, in Abu Dhabi, but the organization is split into western and central commands located in the two most powerful sheikdoms of the seven Emirates--Abu Dhabi and Dubai, respectively.

The UAE is investing in its own training infrastructure, said Al-Bu Ainnain. Flight training is performed at Al Ain Air Base in the east, which is near the Omani border. In terms of novice pilot training, "we are self-sufficient," said Al-Bu Ainnain. "Since 1982, we have not sent any [new] pilots to train outside."

Education is mandatory through service life, and is linked to the promotion cycle, he added. Air force members enhance their capabilities and specialties by studying and training all around the world, he said.

In Al-Bu Ainnain's opinion, aircrews need to be highly specialized and be part of a "dedicated force." He said the service had a bad experience with an experiment called "super-crew chief," in which airmen were trained outside their dedicated field to perform other tasks. "Specialization is very important in the air force," he noted.

Working with the other services--the navy, coast guard and army--also receives considerable attention, Al-Bu Ainnain said. "Jointness in operations is a nightmare for all modern armed forces," he said. "We are struggling, but have...