Combined Arms Theme Wrap-up
In 2023, The Cove published content relating to four themes. Collected here you can find the content – both Cove-created and contributed – published as part of our Combined Arms theme. So, what is Combined Arms?
Intro to Combined Arms
We kicked of the Combined Arms Theme with an overview of what combined arms is, in this article by Cove contributing author MAJ Rob Gibson: Combined Arms; including a brief history of combined arms: A Recent History of Combined Arms.
As part of this series, three officers provided their perspective on their corps roles in a combined arms environment:
- MAJ Pete Tarling discussed the role of artillery in a combined arms environment in: 'Combined Arms From My Perspective: Artillery';
- MAJ Matt Mandl covered the support to combined arms from the CSS arm in: 'Combined Arms From My Perspective: CSS'; and,
- MAJ Cam Barlow talked all things infantry in: 'Combined Arms From My Perspective: Infantry'.
Cove Competition 2023
This year's Cove Competition was designed to stir discussion on combined arms, not just now but in the future, with this year's topic question: "Describe how your role will evolve to contribute to Combined Arms operations in the Army of 2045".
CoveTalk – War Transformed: Lessons From Ukraine
One of our favourite CoveTalks of 2023 was an examination of the war in Ukraine, as retired major general and military commentator Mick Ryan explored the lessons on the modern employment of combined arms in War Transformed: Lessons from Ukraine.
Articles
There were a number of great articles contributed this year that expanded our understanding of combined arms.
- Tavis McLaren discussed the importance of an anti-armour capability to Combined Arms teams in 'Anti-Armour in the Littoral'.
- Nick Floyd and Jeffrey McFarlane provided an in-depth examination of the role of the artillery in their four-part series 'The Future Ready Royal Australian Artillery'.
- Jeremy Fetter reminded us of the importance of CSS to combined arms operations in his article 'Contested Logistics – Army's Role in the Joint Force'.
- Aiden King outlined plans for improving the combined arms force structure of pre-landing force FE in '“Say-Do Gap” – Integrated Combat Force'.
- Ian Richards discussed the importance of ground-based air defence to combined arms teams in 'A Short Article About a Very Short Ground Based Air Defence Requirement'.
- While Nicholas Harrison reinforced this importance in a case study 'Air Defence in the Falklands War'.
- Danyal Alakus reminded us that combined arms needs integration of health support too, in 'The Importance of Independent and Protected Ambulatory Care Within the Motorised Combat Team'.
- Lastly, Benjamin Buchanan looked to Joint inputs into a combined arms operation, with 'Poseidon's Fury: Naval Gunfire Support in Small Wars and its Continued Relevance in the ADF'.
We hope you found these resources educational and enjoyable!
