100 74th FS Airmen to participate in Green Flag West 11-02

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Maj. Joseph Runci, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, prepares for takeoff inside the Full Mission Trainer, an A-10 cockpit simulator, as part of the squadron's preparation for Green Flag West 11-02 Nov. 22. The exercise is one of the Air Force's premiere pre-deployment exercises involving Air Combat Command flying units that perform close-air support and precision-guided munitions delivery. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria) Hi-res

by Airman 1st Class Brigitte N. Brantley-Sisk
23rd Wing Public Affairs

11/22/2010 - MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. -- Nearly 100 Airmen from the 74th Fighter Squadron are gearing up to take part in a mass training exercise known as Green Flag West 11-02.

Held at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., the exercise is for Air Combat Command units who provide close-air support and is designed to be like Iraq and Afghanistan.

"The GFW scenarios are useful because they're realistic," said Capt. Grant Coppin, who is a 74th FS A-10C Thunderbolt II instructor pilot and last participated in 2008. "They accurately portray what might be seen in Southwest Asia, including the villages and compounds."

In addition to giving participants an idea of the general environment, the exercise also allows them to solidify their relationship with the Army.

"We are already proficient at demonstrating we know how to integrate with the Army, but this gives us the chance to validate it," said Captain Coppin. "It's also very useful for other fixed-wing aircraft pilots to be able to practice this as they might not otherwise have the chance."

Another captain who hasn't had as many opportunities to work with the Army said he's glad he'll get the chance.

"Practicing the close-air support on such a massive scale will be valuable training," said Capt. John Meyers, 74th FS assistant chief of training. "It'll also be good to work with the Army so I can have a better understanding of what the guys on the ground do, see what they bring to the fight and how to best support them.

"This exercise will give us a great overall opportunity to hone our skills and prepare for the fight," said the captain. "This is my first Green Flag exercise and it'll be good to have this training under my belt for my first deployment."

The exercise also provides a first for some pilots who may not have a lot of experience.

"Green Flag West can be especially useful to new pilots who might not have dropped live munitions before," said Captain Coppin. "Training with joint terminal attack controllers and dealing with scenarios such as convoy escorts makes this an even better training environment for new and veteran pilots alike."

The personnel going include not only pilots but dozens of support personnel and maintainers. While some of the setup will occur earlier, the Green Flag West 11-02 is scheduled to run from Dec. 4 to 10.



MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Maj. Joseph Runci, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, navigates unfamiliar terrain Nov. 22, inside the Full Mission Trainer, an A-10 cockpit simulator, used to familiarize pilots with the region they will be deployed to. Major Runci was flying over virtual Nevada where Green Flag West 11-02 is scheduled to run from Dec. 4 to 10. Green Flag is geared toward the current ground fight and the Air Force partnership with ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria) Hi-res



MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Maj. Joseph Runci, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, checks his altitude inside the Full Mission Trainer, an A-10 cockpit simulator, as he prepares for the Green Flag West 11-02 exercise Nov. 22. The Green Flag West exercise is designed for close-air support units to practice with U.S. Army forces before being deployed down range together. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria) Hi-res



MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga.-- Maj. Joseph Runci, 74th Fighter Squadron A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot, uses the Full Mission Trainer, an A-10 cockpit simulator, in preparation for Green Flag West 11-02 Nov. 22. Several support personnel, maintainers and pilots will be traveling to Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., to participate in this year's Green Flag West exercise. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Stephanie Longoria) Hi-res

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Please note:
It sounds to me that a 74th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron will replace the 75th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, currently combat-deployed with 18 A-10Cs to the 451st Air Expeditionary Wing at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).