Working together toward a common goal

Photo By Christopher Freeman | An Oh-58 Kiowa Warrior assigned to 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, receives fuel, .50 cal rounds and rockets before engaging targets during the unit's aerial gunnery exercise, Fort Bragg, N.C., Aug. 18. The exercise is preparing aviators for the team qualification gunnery exercise at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia next month. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman/ 82nd CAB PAO)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

08.20.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Freeman 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The 82nd Airborne Division is no stranger to the concept of working with other services and countries. The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade partnered with Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the U.S. Air Force for an aerial gunnery exercise to refine their skills in providing aviation support to ground forces commanders.

Troopers from 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 82nd CAB conducted their Aerial Gunnery exercise at Fort Bragg, allowing crews to qualify, preparing them for an upcoming team shooting event at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia next month.

“As JTACs, we serve as air liaison officers,” said Tech. Sgt. Nicholas Burrell, a JTAC working with 1st Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. “We go forward and support close air support missions.”

Integrating the JTACs with the OH-58 Kiowa Warriors that the CAV uses gives the crews a chance to work with people experienced in controlling aircraft and guiding them to their target.

“Once we have communications with the aircraft we are controlling, it’s on the ground command to determine what the priorities of targeting are. This allows us to direct the helicopter to the appropriate target.”

The mission not only allowed JTACs the chance to hone their skills, but gave the pilots experience in integrating with the controllers, simulating real-world events.

“This opportunity to work with the JTACs gives us a chance to see how the U.S. Air Force controls aircraft,” said Maj. Andrew Herzberg, operations officer, 1-17 CAV, 82nd CAB. “This allows some of our newer crew to gain an understanding of how JTACs integrate into our mission set of providing armed reconnaissance to the ground forces commander.”

Aerial gunnery also allows the pilots to qualify on Table 6, enhancing their capabilities to support the ground forces commander.

“Once the pilots are qualified on this table, it allows them to support units with more complex mission sets,” said Herzberg. “It also allows us to work on more advanced gunnery tables, such as Table 9. Table 9 utilizes two Kiowas in engaging specific targets, which requires more coordination between the aircraft.”

Next month, the troopers will head to Fort A.P. Hill in Virginia to qualify on Table 9, giving supported units more options when requesting aviation assets from the CAV.

• Date Taken: 08.20.2015
• Date Posted: 08.20.2015 15:10
• Story ID: 173765
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US