Photo By Staff Sgt. Tyler Woodward | Master Sgt. Ben Lake, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron standards and...... read more read more
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Maps and handwritten notes littered a workbench in a large classroom. Master Sgt. Ben Lake, the 146th Air Support Operations Squadron standards and evaluations program manager, stood on one side of the table debriefing an Estonian joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) who listened on the other side.
After a complex scenario in the Air National Guard Advanced Joint Terminal Attack Control Training Simulator (AAJTS), the two were running through the mission and discussing what they could have done better.
“So, JTAC to JTAC,” Lake said to 2nd Lt. Sten Heinloo, an Estonian JTAC. “These are the things you need to work on.”
Heinloo grabbed his pen and prepared to jot down the suggestions.
“You have to get better at receiving, processing, prioritizing and disseminating this information,” Lake said with a straight face that quickly broke to a grin. “But in your defense, I know we threw a lot at you today.”
The 146th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) hosted three Estonian JTACs for two weeks of personalized training at Will Rogers Air National Guard Base (WRANGB) in Oklahoma City, Dec. 1-16, 2018.
This marks the second consecutive year the Estonian tactical air control party (TACP) program has worked alongside the 146th ASOS in Oklahoma. However, this year the Estonians stood a little taller and with a slightly different purpose.
Many,
many
sleepless
nights
In December of 2017, the Estonians visited WRANGB to meet with 146th ASOS program managers, instructors and evaluators to gain the practical knowledge of both establishing and running an internationally accredited JTAC program.
Master Sgt. Larry Mansell, the 146th ASOS operations superintendent, was one of the individuals assisting the Estonians during their first visit to the U.S. He gathered the list of requirements for the partner nation JTAC unit to be accredited by NATO.
According to this list, the Estonians needed access to an accredited JTAC schoolhouse, an approved official request from a Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee, a regulation manual that outlined responsibilities for certification (similar to Air Force Instructions) and to become a Joint Close Air Support Memorandum of Agreement Signatory – among other things.
After a year of planning and preparing, the Estonians received their first-ever JTAC accreditation. With this, they are now able to operate with Coalition partners as recognized JTACs; it was a grueling year for the Estonians.
“We weren’t sure we’d be able to acquire accreditation this year,” said 1st Lt. Kaarel Piirsalu, an Estonian TACP specialist. “But, after 12 months of hard work and many, many sleepless nights, we finally made it.”
The Estonians arrived in Oklahoma City this year with a shift in focus from preparing for signatory status to preparing for a more active role in NATO operations.
Rugged,
steadfast,
passionate
The future of the Estonian TACP program is bright and steady. Partnering with the 146th ASOS has enabled both units to learn and grow from each other in ways that neither of them expected.
“They have knowledge in areas that we don’t,” Lake said. “So, as I am teaching them, I’m also learning from them. They specialize in the tactics of foreign entities around their country, so we learn a ton from them about those things.”
The Estonian TACP specialists also know how to speak concisely when controlling aircraft. Since English is not their primary language, they have excelled in communicating as briefly as possible, said Mansell. This ultimately reduces the time it takes to carryout the ground commander’s intent.
In fact, Mansell has played voice recordings of the Estonian controls for the 146th ASOS personnel as an example of brief and precise radio communication.
The Estonians are also rugged, steadfast and passionate about their craft. The way they conduct themselves has turned heads from day one. Mansell said their presence brings a spark to the unit when they train together; and when they show up, they want to be the best.
“Honestly, to see the passion they have about their program is refreshing,” Mansell said. “Their willingness to improve constantly has been what’s made it all worthwhile.”
Combining great effort and great opportunity, this new relationship has been mutually beneficial for the individuals involved from both countries.
A
CENTER
FOR
EXPERIENCE
AND
EXCELLENCE
The 146th ASOS has provided in-depth training opportunities to the Estonians because of experienced personnel, training infrastructure and geographic location.
Between live-air missions at nearby ranges and the AAJTS simulated missions at WRANGB, the Estonians have access to a wide range of opportunities to increase their overall mission readiness.
“We get to experience many things that you don't always get in Estonia or other NATO countries,” Piirsalu said. “There are some really important things we get to experience here, which will help us be prepared when it comes to the big fight. Coming to the U.S. is eye-opening.”
The Estonian program manager spoke with Lake about the training requirements for their JTACs prior to their arrival. They were hoping to gain knowledge on how to better operate as instructors and evaluators within their own program.
Utilizing many readily available resources, Lake personally built a custom two-week plan based on the needs of the Estonian JTACs.
“I get gratification knowing that I’m helping not only our NATO allies, but also my fellow JTACs — my friends,” Lake said. “I know that when I run into them downrange that they’re going to know their stuff because they were trained the right way.”
More
than
what’s
asked
This relationship between countries doesn't appear to be slowing. Now that the Estonian JTAC program has the proper qualifications, it is easier to conduct training missions with U.S. and other NATO allies.
Lt. Col. Matthew Emerson, the 146th ASOS director of operations, projected a long-term relationship with the Estonian TACP program in which training could reoccur annually or semi-annually.
In the near future, there may be integrated training opportunities between the Estonians and the manned intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities of the MC-12W – just another example of the 137th’s growing operational relevance.
“This is important because we’re building partner nation capability in the Baltic region,” Emerson said. “And this gives our guys additional training opportunities to go work with partner JTACs across NATO.”
The success of the Estonian and 146th relationship was spurred by individuals doing more than what was asked of them – by finding solutions instead of excuses and being in the right place at the right time.
“It’s been very rewarding going from a conversation in 2015, to now, in 2018, having three Estonians here in America experiencing Oklahoma and our culture here at WRANGB,” Mansell said. “Being a part of this has absolutely been a fulfilling moment in my career.”
| Date Taken: | 12.16.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 01.07.2019 08:53 |
| Story ID: | 305981 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA CITY , OK, US |
| Web Views: | 336 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 146TH AIR SUPPORT OPERATIONS SQUADRON AND ESTONIAN JTACs STRENGTHEN PARTNER-NATION CAPABILITIES AND BUILD ON NATO BROTHERHOOD, by SSgt Tyler Woodward, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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