47th FS instructor pilots impact training on the ground

Airmen from the 917th Wing at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, prepare an A-10C Thunderbolt II from the 47th Fighter Squadron for takeoff at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Georgia, April 2, 2009. Airmen from the 917th Wg and the 47th Fighter Squadron both from Barksdale are involved in training Joint Terminal Attack Controllers for 13 days during "Patriot Dixie". (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res

by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston
917th Wing Public Affairs

4/28/2009 - Barksdale AFB, La. -- The primary mission of the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale remains, for the time being, a schoolhouse for A-10 pilots. However, it is not the only opportunity instructor pilots here have to be involved with training Air Force personnel.

Recently, close to 90 members of the 917th Wing had the chance to hone their combat skills for 13 days in Savannah, Ga., during "Patriot Dixie."

The group of Airmen, which included 47th FS pilots, as well as maintainers from the 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron from Barksdale, helped Joint Terminal Attack Controllers fine-tune their combat skills before being deployed down range. The two groups of JTACs involved in the training were the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, who are embedded with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga., and the 6th Combat Training Squadron from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

By participating in training evolutions such as this one, the instructor pilots are ensuring that JTACs are capable of doing their job down range. In retrospect, the instructor pilots are actually guaranteeing better outcomes for close-air-support pilots in the future.

"For an A-10 pilot, the limiting factor in combat is finding the target - the window in the hut among 200 huts." says Lt. Col. Jim Macaulay, 917th Operations Group deputy commander, Wing. "JTACs used to be the unsung heroes. Now they are getting their due. We can't do our job without them."

JTACs are considered throughout the U.S. military as experts in air-to-ground operations, and like all military components, they continue to train on a regular basis to maintain their expertise in the field. Embedded with Army units, they are prepared to call in air strikes to destroy targets or close-air-support during engagements with enemy forces.

"This combined training with a dedicated premier air-to-ground platform such as the A-10 enhances our training effectiveness," said Maj. Francis Scolaro, 15th ASOS, director of operations. "Training with CAS experts (A-10s) greatly enhances the JTACs tactics, techniques and procedures when engaging the enemy in support of the ground commander's scheme of maneuver."

The 47th FS took six A-10 jets to Georgia to help. Pilots from the 47th FS were rotated in and out over the length of the exercise to fly sorties for the training scenarios.

The A-10s dropped BDU 33 training ordinance to simulate bombs and fired TP (training) rockets at targets on the ranges as they worked hand-in-hand with the 15th ASOS.

"We train to the level where we can deploy with any Army unit we need to," Major Scolaro said. "The only difference is how we get to the fight."

"It takes three or four years to grow a JTAC," the Major said. "If you lose one JTAC on the battlefield, you lose a lot of capability. So, we train to mitigate that in every possible way we can."

The 15th ASOS coordinated with the 47th FS to get what they felt was the best win-win training situation possible during the exercise.

Training for the 15th ASOS JTACs focused on incorporating lasers to mark targets and talking pilots on to targets visually.

A new asset in the JTAC equipment bag is the "rover," which has video down link capabilities. Personnel on the ground can actually see the target on a screen as seen from a targeting pod on the combat aircraft providing the close-air-support.

"It's definitely easier to conduct CAS with targeting pods and video down link capabilities as opposed to trying to verbally talk the pilot on to certain targets," Major Scolaro said.

JTACs on the ground are more than just an air traffic controller for dropping bombs.

"In a lot of cases, the aircrew have very accurate coordinates for the target, and it's simply a matter of us making sure the target area is free of friendlies and non-combatants before we approve the strike," said Capt. Pat McMahon, 15th ASOS, air liaison officer.

"However, in todays combat theater, it's hard to identify targets as they're often on the move or in areas that could cause collateral damage. So it's up to us
and the aircrew to quickly come up with an accurate targeting solution and the best weapon that's quick, lethal and, in most cases, with no collateral damage," he added.

The A-10 is not the only combat aircraft assigned to the role of close-air-support. The rules have changed over the years and many combat aircraft have been thrown into the CAS role. Because of this, JTACs must train to work with numerous assets from different services as well as different countries.

"Each community brings a valuable piece of the puzzle to the fight - a good JTAC will know how to put it all together," said Capt. McMahon.

There were numerous sorties flown during "Patriot Dixie." But, very few jets would have gotten off the ground more than a few times had it not been for the maintainers back at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center.

From a maintainer's perspective, the exercise was not without its challenges.

Upon arrival at the CRTC, immediately, several maintenance issues popped up, said Senior Master Sgt. Bernard Woods, 717th AMXS, flight chief.

The maintainers immediately started generating all six aircraft in order to make the next day's mission.

"Everybody helped each other very well in the launch, recovery and maintenance of the A-10 during the entire deployment," Sergeant Woods said. "I didn't have to stress teamwork at all."

The weather too played a role in the training. Rain fall simulated what they may during a deployment to Afghanistan.

"There was a little heavy rainfall and severe weather we had to deal with. We had to recover aircraft and put four A-10's in a hangar to avoid structural damage from the heavy winds and hail," Sergeant Woods explained. "Some challenges we just had to endure."

"Patriot Dixie" is just one of many training evolutions that create scenarios in which JTACs could soon be put to the test down range.

"There is nothing worse than dropping a bomb on a farmer or civilians when you could have prevented it," said Major Scolaro. "We try to do everything we possibly can to prevent that. No one ever wants to hear about or read about it, nor do we ever want to do it. That's why we do this training."

Source



Airmen from the 917th Wing scramble to secure A-10Cs from the 47th Fighter Squadron on the ramp as a white wall of rain bears down on the jets at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center April 2, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



An Airman from the 917th Wing chocks an A-10C from the 47th Fighter Squadron in a torrential downpour at Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center April 2, 2009. For his own safety and the protection of the aircraft's cockpit, the pilot was forced to stay in the jet until the storm passed. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Emergency crews leave the ramp after responding to an in-flight emergency call April 1, 2009, at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center. Maj. Aristotle "So-Crates" Rabanal, an instructor pilot with the 47th Fighter Squadron made the call after a 2.75 practice rocket hung in the pod during one of his sorties. Instructor pilots from the 47th FS as well as Airmen from the 917th Wing at Barksdale are supporting training evolutions for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron. The 15th ASOS is embedded with the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Visible in the background is A-10C 148. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Maj. Aristotle "So-Crates" Rabanal, an instructor pilot with the 47th Fighter Squadron fires 2.75 practice rockets at his target while on an early morning sortie to the Townsend Range during "Patriot Dixie" March 31, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Lt. Col. Barry "Pappy" James, an instructor pilot with the 47th Fighter Squadron drops practice bombs on targets at the Townsend Range outside of Savannah, Georgia, March 31, 2009. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Lt. Col. Mitchell "Face" Hansen, an instructor pilot with the 47th Fighter Squadron checks for thumbs up from Joint Terminal Attack Controllers on the ground after a show of force at the Townsend Range outside of Savannah, Georgia, March 31, 2009. The A-10C is marked '47', probably as the 47th FS flagship. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Master Sgt. Gary Yates, specialist flight supervisor with the 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, and Technical Sgt. Keith Castleberry, aerospace propulsion technician, 917th Maintenance Squadron, monitor A-10 engines with a laptop March 30, 2009, after it was noticed that the aircraft was experiencing double engine fluxes. The aircraft is A-10C 160. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Senior Airmen Terrance Smothers and TSgt Vernon Collins secure BDU-33 practice bombs on to an A-10C Thunderbolt II during "Patriot Dixie" April 1, 2009. Both Airmen are weapons loaders with the 917th Munitions Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Right: Tech. Sgt. Bobby Duncan looks on as Staff Sgt. Edward Corkern seats a rocket on April 1, 2009, ensuring a full spin on the rocket when it exits the tube. Both Airmen are weapons loaders with the 917th Munitions Flight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Staff Sgt. Kenya Battles, 917th Munitions Flight weapons loader, makes sure locknuts are tight during an aircraft post loading check April 1, 2009, at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Right: Staff Sgt. Kenya Battles, 917th Munitions Flight weapons loader, checks a hung rocket to make sure it is rendered safe April 1, 2009, at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Staff Sgt. Davarick Pickens, avionics specialist, 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., opens a panel to perform a maintenance check on an A-10C Thunderbolt II March 30, 2009. Airmen from the 717th AMXS maintained A-10 jets from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale AFB, while they supported training evolutions for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers with the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Stewart, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Right: Technical Sgt. Alan Leeps, avionics specialist, 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., opens rack hooks on an A-10 Thunderbolt to load a LITENING (targeting) pod March 30, 2009. Airmen from the 717th AMXS maintained A-10 jets from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale AFB, while they supported training evolutions for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers with the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Stewart, Ga. (US Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Staff Sgt. Dale Hugo, crew chief, 717th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, Barksdale Air Force Base, La., wraps and stows a grounding cord on an A-10 Thunderbolt, March 30, 2009, before it is towed to the end of the ramp at the Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Ga., to have its engines run up. Airmen from the 717th AMXS maintained A-10 jets from the 47th Fighter Squadron at Barksdale AFB while they that supported training evolutions for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers with the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Stewart, Ga. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Right: Members of the 917th Wing from Barksdale Air Force Base, La., prepare to run the engines on an A-10 Thunderbolt March 30, 2009, at the Savannah Combat Readiness Training Center in Savannah, Ga., after it was noticed that the aircraft was experiencing double engine fluxes. Airmen from the 917th WG and the 47th Fighter Squadron, also from Barksdale AFB, were involved in training Joint Attack Terminal Controllers for 13 days during “Patriot Dixie” in Savannah. (US Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Senior Airman Dave Pedersen watches a target with his binoculars as an A-10C Thunderbolt II piloted by Lt. Col. John "Smooth" Lipps, rolls in for a strafe at the Townsend Range just outside of Savannah, Georgia, March 31, 2009. Airman Pedersen is a radio operator maintainer and driver (ROMAD) for the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron and is embedded with the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Colonel Lipps is an instructor pilot with the 47th Fighter Squadron. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston Hi-res



Right: (L-R) Senior Airmen Tim Johnson, joint terminal attack controller (JTAC), and Dave Pedersen, radio operator maintainer and driver (ROMAD), watch an incoming aircraft as Capt. Christopher Schulz, air liaison office/JTAC, talks the aircraft on to a target. The Airmen are members of the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron and are embedded with the Army's 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The Airmen are involved in a 13 day training exercise for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Savannah, Georgia, area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Left: Capt. Christopher Schulz, air liaison office/joint terminal attack controller, 15th Air Support Operations Squadron, Fort Stewart, Ga., uses a Mk-7 (mark seven) to get grids/range bearing to the targets on the Townsend Range near Savannah, Ga., March 31, 2009. The Mk-7 derives coordinates and range for targeting solutions which are used to call in close-air-support during engagements with the enemy. Capt. Schulz is involved in "Patriot Dixie", which is a 13 day training exercise for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Savannah, Georgia, area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res



Right: Airman 1st Class John Kingsley, radio operator maintainer and driver, 682nd Air Support Operations Squadron, Shaw AFB, South Carolina, and Airman 1st Class Chad Hutsell, ROMAD, with the 15th ASOS, Ft. Stewart, Georgia, work with a military rugged tablet (MRT) during "Patriot Dixie" March 31, 2009. The MRT is a computer system that sends digital information to combat aircraft providing close-air-support much like text messaging. Both Airmen are involved in a 13 day training exercise for Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Savannah, Georgia, area. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jeff Walston) Hi-res