|
Friends of CASI,
As 2017 draws to a close, we wanted to say thank you for all of your support through our first ten months. We have a long way to go until we are fully up and running, but we have come a long way with your help. We look forward to working with you in 2018, and hopefully seeing you in person at the first CASI conference on May 18th, here at National Defense University.
Here is the CASI 2017 year-end update. And as always, please let us know if you have any questions, comments, requests, or suggestions.
Research
Our current research plan includes several projects, some of which will be highlighted at the CASI conference in May 2018.
1. How increased PRC air operations in the East China Sea are affecting the U.S., its interests, allies, and partners. Our partners at RAND are diligently working on this project, and we plan to feature some of the research at the conference in May.
2. How the PRC is using bombers as strategic messaging or deterrence. This project is also supported by our partners at RAND. This project will likely feature at the conference in May.
3. Describing the current state and near-term future of the aerospace industrial base within the PRC. Our partners atTextOreare drawing on their deep resources to advance our understanding of this issue. This project is planned for completion in late summer 2018.
4. CASI has partnered with theCenter for Naval Analysesto study PLAAF and PLA Naval Aviation training and exercise integration. Joint operations are difficult at best, the U.S. trains, exercises, and operates jointly all the time and it is still difficult. As China begins to make reforms toward true jointness, this will be an important factor to understand. This project is also planned to feature at the CASI conference in May.
5. CASI aerospace periodical database. We have made remarkable progress in just the last three months since the start of this project.BluePath Labsis providing great support for this project. The information we have gleaned will help to form the basis of many forthcoming CASI reports. In support of our mission to improve understanding of Chinese aerospace, we are working on solutions to make this database accessible to external authorized users in the future.
6. CASI published its first report, PLA Aerospace Power: A Primer on Trends in China’s Military Air, Space, and Missile Forces in November. The full report is available for download in PDF form on our website:https://airuniversity.usaf.afpims.mil/CASI/PLAAF/
We also have hard copies available at our offices in D.C. and Maxwell, and it is available from Amazon at:https://tinyurl.com/yctdud24
7. CASI also published PLA Naval Aviation Training and Operations: Missions, Organizational Structure, and Training (2013-15) by CASI Research Director Kenneth Allen and CASI Associate Lyle J. Morris (from the RAND Corporation). This report is available on the CASI website at:http://www.airuniversity.af.mil/CASI/PLAN/, in print from the CASI offices, or from Amazon at:https://tinyurl.com/y7r3b5rn
8. The additional CASI reports from the 2015 conference are now available on the CASI websitehttp://www.airuniversity.af.mil/CASI/ These include PLAAF Operations Over Water, The Chinese Air Force’s First Steps Toward Becoming an Expeditionary Air Force, The Creation of the PLA Strategic Support Force and Its Implications for Chinese Military Space Operations, and China’s Approach to ADIZ in Theory and Practice.
Personnel
We continue to try and work through the intricate Air Force personnel system to hire all of our people. We were very fortunate to have Major Catherine “Cat” Tobin, join us as the Deputy Director for CASI in November, she will be a great asset for CASI and the U.S. Air Force. We have also identified our two Air Force enlisted personnel, who are expected to join us, one at Air University and one at National Defense University, in spring of 2018.
To date, we have been far less successful navigating the civilian personnel system. We hope in the near future the powers that be will find a way to post the research positions on USAJobs for the public to apply. Hopefully more to follow on that endeavor in early 2018.
Happily, theCASI Associates programis finally up and running. This program allows CASI to draw on outside experts, researchers, and leaders, to support CASI’s mission. The three components of the Associates program are:
1. CASI directed projects. CASI has a number of topics across its mission areas where we solicit expert input from our Associates. These projects are typically short in duration, that is to say months rather than years. The projects typically result in a sponsored paper/article to be published by CASI. If you wish to learn more about CASI Associates or would like to participate in the program for future projects, please let us know.
2. CASI sponsored projects. CASI serves as the focal point for the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Department of Defense, for aerospace issues related to China. CASI takes suggestions for research topics of interest to the USAF, DoD, and other military or government organizations, and then determines the best way to meet the needs of these requests. CASI Associates play a vital role in this process. If you are an agency or organization that has a request for support or a topic you would like researched, please let us know.
3. CASI Associate focused topics. CASI is fortunate to have Associates who are focused on a wide range of aerospace related issues. Associates may nominate to CASI topics on which they are currently conducting, or intend to conduct, research to become a CASI product. If you are working on, or have an idea for, research related to Chinese aerospace that you think would be of interest to CASI, the U.S. Air Force, or the DoD writ large, please contact us.
Outreach
In addition to providing support to Air Force leadership, CASI has been very busy with outreach since our last update.
1. CASI visited NGA and briefed the staff and analysts on our mission and products.
2. CASI continues to support PACAF in their multiple missions focused on Chinese aerospace.
3. CASI conducted briefs and discussions with multiple squadrons at NASIC. NASIC has requested follow-on support early in 2018.
4. CASI participated in the US-Taiwan Business Council’s China Defense Industry Conference.
5. CASI visited NGIC to provide a briefing on PLA aerospace and reorganization topics.
6. CASI participated in the NBR-Strategic Studies Institute’s annual PLA Conference.
7. CASI briefed the USAF Red Team on PLA topics.
8. CASI presented a briefing on China’s military foreign relations briefing to about 100 foreign military visitors a NDU
9. CASI met with Japanese Self Defense Forces at the Ministry of Defense as part of ongoing research in support of the JASDF A-5 as requested by the USAF A-5.
10. CASI participated in the CAPS-RAND-NDU PLA Conference in Taipei. While in Taiwan, CASI conducted exchange briefs with Taiwan’s National Defense University on topics of mutual interest.
11. CASI briefed the Cryptologic Operations and Modernization Directorate on PLA issues.
12. CASI attended the Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation’s “Applying Lessons Learned from China” workshop.
13. CASI participated in meetings at NDU and CNA for visiting delegations from the PLA’s Academy of Military Science.
14. CASI continues to conduct outreach and support at both Air University and National Defense University, participating in meetings, dialogues, and providing briefing, mentorship, and support to faculty, staff, and students alike.
15. CASI regularly attends the Navy Asia Pacific Advisory Group (NAPAG) briefings and discussion groups.
16. CASI provides briefs at the Defense Intelligence Agency to attaché designates on a monthly basis.
17. CASI is working with the Office of Commercial and Economic Analysis on a potential research project.
18. CASI continues to attend and participate in various academic and think-tank sponsored events. One particularly interesting potential project involves cooperation with CSBA focused on competitive strategies.
Near term
In early 2018, in addition to supporting senior level engagements, CASI has been asked to provide support to the J-7, the Institute for Defense Analyses, NASIC, and the Ministry of Defense.
CASI Conference
18 May 2018, National Defense University.
More details to follow in 2018 as they are available. Details will be announced via our multiple contact outlets.
Keep in contact with us:
CASI websitewww.airuniversity.af.mil/CASI/
Follow us on Twitter:twitter.com/CASI_Research
Like us on Facebook:www.facebook.com/CASI.Research.Org
Link with us on LinkedIn:www.linkedin.com/company/china-aerospace-studies-institute/
As always, please feel free to send this update, or our website/ contact information, to anyone you feel might be interested in CASI or our research.
Wishing you all a very happy New Year. 新年快乐
|