History and Constitution
The Air & Space Power Association was formed in May 1947 for those who had served in the RAF or Air Ministry on public relations duties. The Association was then known as The Air Public Relations Association (APRA). The objective of APRA was ‘To enable members to keep in touch with one another, principally by an annual dinner and an annual general meeting’ but more importantly, ‘To foster a continuing interest in its members in the RAF and its non-regular forces.’ By 1960 there were 146 paid-up members. In 1954 an annual trophy was inaugurated to be awarded for the best work in interpreting the RAF to the public during a period of twelve months between the annual Battle of Britain date (15 September 1940). In 1954 an annual trophy was inaugurated to be awarded for the best work in interpreting the RAF to the public during a period of twelve months between Battle of Britain Days. In 2012, when the Chair and Secretary roles still resided in the Air Staff, the Association was renamed The Air Power Association (APA). With reorganisation and streamlining within the Ministry of Defence, the APA organisation and coordination was transferred to the current small secretariat based in Fairford but Patronage remained with the serving Chief of the Air Staff. The Executive Committee includes an enthusiastic cadre of specialist volunteers. In 2019 the Chief of the Air Staff decreed that the Association should be known as The Air and Space Power Association (ASPA) in recognition of the growing importance of Space as a new operational domain.
The Association operates as a not for profit company limited by guarantee. The trading arm of the ASPA, APA Associated Enterprises Ltd, delivers the Chief of the Air Staff’s Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference and the Defence Space Conference.
The ASPA Annual Awards
CRITERIA FOR THE AIR & SPACE POWER ASSOCIATION (ASPA) ANNUAL AWARD(S)
The Air and Space Power Association Annual Award is presented to the individual, team, unit, formation, or organisation that has, in the opinion of the Executive Committee of the ASPA, demonstrated singular professional excellence in the direct delivery or enabling of Air and Space Power.
The Air and Space Power Advocacy Award is presented exceptionally to an individual, team or organisation that, in the opinion of the Executive Committee of The Air and Space Power Association, made a significant and demonstrable contribution to improving the understanding of the importance, relevance and utility of Air and Space Power to the United Kingdom.
THE AIR & SPACE POWER ASSOCIATION ANNUAL AWARDS 2024
19 November 2024
The following awards were announced on the occasion of the Annual Industry Dinner by Jim Beldon, Secretary and presented by Chairman Mark Roberts.
The Air and Space Power Association Annual Award is presented to the RAF, Fleet Air Arm or Army Air Corps individual, or Whole Force team, unit or formation that has, in the opinion of the Executive Committee of the Air and Space Power Association, demonstrated singular professional excellence in the direct delivery or enabling of Air and Space Power.
The delivery of F-16 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force has understandably grabbed the headlines, but those formidable aircraft can only be effective if their pilots are trained to the highest standards. It is in this vital realm that the Royal Air Force’s Number 22 Group – and specifically Number 6 Flying Training School – have collaborated with Babcock International to deliver first-class Elementary Flying Training to Ukrainian Air Force student pilots.
This Whole Force programme, called Operation INTERSTORM, is a ‘no-fail’ programme of national importance, and has required the RAF and Babcock to work in different ways from those established during more than 20 years of flying training collaboration. Together, 22 Group and Babcock have created a new operating model that successfully and quickly injects trained pilots into the Ukrainian fast jet training pipeline, requiring a new approach to planning, and a restructuring of the way in which Babcock’s Grob 115E trainer aircraft are allocated and resourced, yielding improved aircraft availability and student throughput.
Operation INTERSTORM continues to be an admirable example of Whole Force collaboration and a key component in generating Ukrainian Air Force fast-jet capability in the face of Russian aggression. To date, 1100 hrs have been flown and 24 pilots have been trained through Operation INTERSTORM, with more trainee pilots advancing through the training system as I speak.
In recognition of this phenomenally successful programme, we are delighted to award the 2024 Air and Space Power Annual Award to the Operation INTERSTORM Whole Force Team, and would therefore like to invite onto stage Gp Capt Matt Barker, Officer Commanding of the Royal Air Force’s Number 6 Flying Training School, and Mr David Kistruck, Babcock’s Contract Manager for the Light Aircraft Flying Task, to receive the award.
The Air and Space Power Advocacy Award is presented exceptionally to an individual, team or organisation that, in the opinion of the Executive Committee of the Air and Space Power Association, deserves special recognition for their promotion of UK Air and Space Power.
Among the Air and Space Power specialist publications, there are few writers who command a comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of aerospace, ranging from innovative technologies, to international and domestic aviation policies, to satellite systems and military and civil aviation in all their forms. There are even fewer aerospace experts who are equally adept in linking such aspects together to project an authoritative understanding of the whole. But there is one individual who is not only outstanding in that special regard, but whose articulate courage in advocating for UK air and space power is second to none.
As Editor-in-Chief of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s ‘Aerospace’ magazine, since 2001 Tim Robinson has covered all aspects of air and space power, delving into the impact of innovations on military strategy, tactics and capabilities. He is particularly adept at presenting complex information in an engaging and accessible manner, ensuring everyone can easily understand the intricacies of the topics he covers – ranging from the youngest aircraft aficionado to the CEOs of our leading aerospace companies. He is widely consulted and frequently interviewed by news organisations such as the BBC and CNN.
Underpinning his specialist aerospace knowledge with a profound understanding of the geopolitical and economic context in which are and space power exists, he has been highly adept in communicating how global events and shifting power dynamics influence defence policies and air and space operations.
For example, in his coverage of the War in Ukraine, his writing, podcasts, media commentary and blogs have captured the significance of air power and securing our skies as a strategic priority, not just for Ukraine itself, but for the UK and its Allies too. Tim’s reporting from the 2024 Global Air & Space Chiefs’ conference widened the international debate further to reinforce the importance of air power and air power alliances for international security.
In the Space arena too, Tim has helped inform and even develop the national conversation around the UK’s future in Space. Sharing lessons from Ukraine and reporting on the robustness and resilience of the Starlink broadband mega-constellation has broadened understanding of the strategic importance of space for our security.
In recognition of all of his inestimable advocacy of, and commentary on, UK Air and Space Power over the past 23 years, we are deeply honoured to award the Air and Space Power Association Advocacy Award to Mr Tim Robinson, Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Air & Space Power Association Annual Awards
Presented at the Industry Dinner 15th November 2023
Our first award tonight is for the Application of Air & Space Power and the recipient is:
No 83 Expeditionary Air Group
No 83 EAG is the RAF’s operational HQ in the Middle East, from where it is responsible for the control and direction of the Expeditionary Air Wings supporting Operations Kipion and Shader. No 83 EAG is helping secure Daesh’s lasting defeat, and it is a prime example of the UK’s effort over recent years to deliver world class air power.
This award will be accepted tonight on behalf of 83 EAG by Group Captain Ian Diggle (Digs) who until recently was Deputy Air Component Commander (Middle East) and Officer Commanding 83 Expeditionary Air Group
The second award this evening for the Promotion of Air & Space Power is to:
Professor Justin Bronk
Senior Research Fellow for Airpower and Technology, Royal United Services Institute and Editor of RUSI Defence Systems
This award goes to Justin for his outstanding scholarship and advocacy in furthering the public understanding of air and space power. Justin is the go-to man to explain air doctrine and operations over Ukraine and beyond, and he can always be relied upon to challenge any stale orthodoxy. Justin cannot be with us tonight but Sir David Lidington, chair at RUSI, has kindly agreed to accept the award on Justin’s behalf.
