Training in the ever-changing Kansas weather provides realistic scenarios for Airmen and Soldiers participating in a combat exercise at Smoky Hill Weapons Range, Kansas. March 2 proved to be one of those days where the elements forced the 284th Air Support Operations Squadron and the 19th Special Forces Group to adjust.
Despite extremely windy conditions, Airmen involved in the training enhanced the operational cohesiveness of the Operational Detachment-Alpha teams and joint terminal attack controllers as they accomplished their mission sets.
A typical ODA contains 12 Special Forces team members who rely on stealth to complete their missions. Each Soldier in an ODA team is trained and cross-trained in different disciplines.
The JTACs are trained to integrate and operate with any military force, from Special Forces to conventional forces and they have the skills to call in close air support and close combat attacks from Air Force, Army and Navy weapons systems.
Their training in March involved day and night operations, with aircraft releasing live and simulated ordinance.
“The exercise focused on close air support integration into all aspects of special operations activities and missions,” said Maj. Jacob Schwartz, commander, 284th ASOS. “The primary focus was to integrate the JTAC into dynamic urban missions, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, and joint air attack teams.”
Planning for the exercise took place over several weeks with active duty, Guard, and Reserve components involved.
“There was coordination of airlift for jump operations, airspace coordination with Smoky, coordination with the fixed wing aircraft, along with the rotary wing aircraft,” said Schwartz. “All of this had to be synchronized with ground movements to ensure that the all players involved were able to maximize their training.”
Personnel from Army and Air Force squadrons throughout the Midwest, ranging from South Dakota to Louisiana, participated in the exercise. The close working relationship with Army counterparts assists in ensuring mission success by understanding how each unit operates in a combat environment.
“The 284th ASOS and 19th SFG have developed a solid relationship over the past several years,” said Schwartz. “We consistently train and operate together to ensure combat effectiveness and cohesiveness across the spectrum of operations.”
The exercise was an overall success. Aircrew personnel improved their close air support communication and execution, while providing deadly and accurate fire missions The ODA members learned the basics of calling for close air support and operating in an emergency when a JTAC isn’t available, and the JTACs also increased their ability to perform in an unconventional warfare environment.
A few complications arose during the exercise, primarily the wind. Because of this, no jumps were accomplished, due to safety precautions.
Coordination to help the exercise move smoothly with six different units across five different states proved to be difficult, but not impossible.
“Despite these challenges and through hard work and effort by all involved, the planning objectives were met in order to support the exercise,” Schwartz said. “All players involved were able to meet their operational objectives with the exception of the airborne insertion.”
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2016 11:13 |
| Story ID: | 206307 |
| Location: | WICHITA, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 606 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 284th ASOS trains with Special Operations Forces, by SrA Lauren Penney, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
