Photo By Staff Sgt. Robert Barney | A US Army CH-47 Chinook from the Oregon Army National Guard conducts air operations...... read more read more
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BOISE, Idaho - The Air Support Operations Squadron annual training this year is especially valuable as the squadron plans for deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the early part of 2012.
As a CH-47 Chinook lands, airmen with the 124th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) exit out the ramp, guns ready, and secure the area. The helicopter pulls away after the last Airman leaves and the group circles together, watching for possible enemy as they plan how to navigate to their objective.
While this is a training scenario, it has many real life elements that have been planned into the 124th ASOS annual training in July.
Participants include oppositional forces (OpFor) played by members of the 726th Air Control Squadron stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base and Chinook helicopters from the Oregon Army National Guard. “We truly want to thank all the agencies that helped us execute this busy week of training here on the back side of Soldier Mountain,” said Lt. Col. Tom Shuler, 124 ASOS director of operations.
The ASOS annual training this year is especially valuable as the squadron plans for deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the early part of 2012. Some ASOS members have recently returned from service in Afghanistan and have incorporated their lessons learned in the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).
With help and support from the Forest Service they are given access to the unique training environment of central Idaho that is very comparable to Afghanistan. “The valley’s and ridges here provide line-of-sight challenges to our radio communication similar that what we face in Afghanistan” said Shuler.
After infiltrating by helicopter, they move tactically down a ridge line. With a heavy load of equipment and protective gear the TACP’s facilitators reinforce the principle of maintaining excellent physical standard with demanding hikes up and down uneven terrain, watchful of enemy ambushes.
The OpFor unleash an ambush on the TACP’s as they walk down the ridge line. Utilizing Airsoft rifles, that replicate M4’s, the OpFor open fire on the approaching airmen. The call of “Contact Right” rings out and is repeated by other flight members. As they return fire and engage the OpFor with their own Airsoft M4’s, simulated mortars begin to rain down upon their position causing confusion and giving a realistic environment of a combat situation.
After they finish the first scenario, the TACP facilitators gather everyone together for a quick review of what went well and more importantly what could be improved on. ASOS leadership planned multiple combat situations planned for their annual training Which includes small unit tactics, mounted patrols with HMWVV’s, and their essential Close Air Support (CAS) mission.
Providing communications with aircraft as they deliver munitions is the unique ability of a Terminal Air Control Party and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Airman. This type of training, with help from A-10 Thunderbolt II’s of the 190th Fighter Squadron, gives the airmen of the 124th ASOS vital training, especially those preparing to deploy for ongoing operations overseas.
“Giving the younger airmen time on the radio is something really unique about [the 124th ASOS], we really try and prepare them to go to JTAC school with realistic training,” says Senior Master Sgt. Phillip Dorosh.
| Date Taken: | 07.14.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2011 20:15 |
| Story ID: | 74175 |
| Location: | BOISE, ID, US |
| Web Views: | 350 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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