The DCRC is a deployable element of the German Air Force Tactical Air Command and Control Service used as a deployable command post for the tactical control of air operations. Officially commissioned in August 2006 in its basic material configuration the DCRC has since acquired a lot of experience for its staff. A series of exercises led the DCRC through national and international certifications. The DCRC achieved its NRF certification during the STARTASSESS in March 2009.
The standard DCRC configuration includes 18 working positions to accomplish its mission. However, the total crew required to man the DCRC is up to 300. “Enlisted, NCOs and officers all work together to set the DCRC Red Hawk” up,” says Colonel Dederichs, “it is great for team building and let us not forget the people are the most important asset in this operation.” Once the setup is accomplished the operational sections take up their ordinary functions.
Due to a modular architecture, the DCRC can be tailored to any mission. It is in the centre of operations connected to the network of different sensors, effectors and air assets. The DCRC delivers a current air situation, prepares decisions to higher echelons and performs battle management. This process works both bottom to top and top to bottom.
“LAW09 give us the chance to exchange experiences with the Swedish CRC, which is a great training effect,” concludes Colonel Dederichs, “and of course an exercise like this provides us with options we do not have in normal peacetime civilian situations.” The DCRC staff can debrief together with pilots from countries like Sweden, Finland and also Poland, with whom they do not normally train, and they can interact with the civil Air Traffic Control service, ATC.