News>Airmen conduct coalition training with Slovenian soldiers
Photos
Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ramos explains the sequence of events to three Slovenian army joint terminal attack controllers during a NATO coalition combat capability training exercise at Pocek Range Feb. 3, 2011, in Postojna, Slovenia. The exercise consisted of close-air-support training between Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Slovenian army JTACs and tactical air control party operators, as well as Slovenian PC-9M aircrews. Sergeant Ramos is a 8th Air Support Operations Squadron JTAC. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay)
Maj. Bryan Trinkle discusses close-air-support training scenerios with Slovenian army Sgt. 1st Class Sergej Savov during a NATO coalition combat-capability training exercise at Pocek Range Feb. 2, 2011. in Postojna, Slovenia. The exercise consisted of close-air-support training between Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Slovenian army joint terminal attacks controllers and tactical air control party operators, as well as Slovenian PC-9M aircrews. Major Tinkle the 8th Air Operations Support Squadron operations officer and a JTAC and Sergeant Savov is a1st Brigade TACP leader. (U.S. Air Force Photo/ Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay)
Slovenian army Staff Sgt. Rudolf Rot tracks current position coordinates during a NATO coalition combat capability training exercise at Pocek Range Feb. 3, 2011, in Postojna, Slovenia. The exercise consisted of close-air-support training between Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, and Slovenian army joint terminal attacks controllers and tactical air control party operators, as well as Slovenian PC-9M aircrews. Sergeant Rot is a 1st Brigade tactical air control party operator. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay)
by Staff Sgt. Nadine Y. Barclay
31st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
2/10/2011 - POSTOJNA, Slovenia (AFNS) -- Airmen from Aviano Air Base, Italy, partnered with members of the Slovenian army to conduct a NATO coalition combat-capability training exercise Jan. 31 to Feb. 4 at Pocek A-G Range here.
The exercise consisted of close-air-support training between nine 8th Air Support Operations Squadron Airmen and Slovenian army joint terminal attacks controllers and tactical air control party operators, as well as Slovenian PC-9M aircrews.
"The objective of this training is to refine the techniques and procedures used in graduate-level close-air-support scenarios," said Tech. Sgt. Eduardo Ramos, a JTAC with the 8th ASOS. "Our goal here is to train the Slovenian JTACs in our practices to better equip them for their upcoming deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom."
During the weeklong exercise, a PC-9M scattered the mountainside with live ordnance to provide realism to the training scenarios. The Airmen from Aviano AB and Slovenian JTACs practiced common tactics, techniques and procedures used in CAS missions.
"Equipment, planes, bombs, and JTACS all add to the realism of the training," Sergeant Ramos said.
According to Slovenian army Sgt. 1st Class Sergej Savov, the 1st Brigade TACP leader, building the JTAC capability is not only important because it saves lives downrange, but it also fosters partnership with the U.S. in the future.
"These training events are very useful for us," Sergeant Savov said. "We are starting to build the TACP capability for the Slovenian armed forces for all the missions and deployments we have. Since this is new for our army, we are striving for expertise. The best thing is to rely on those who are actually leading this activity in the war. It's great for us to train with (United States Air Forces in Europe Airmen), and since it's close to Aviano (AB), it's easy for 8th ASOS to provide us with instructors, teach us and mentor us on how to perform our tasks."
One of the tasks the Slovenian TACP operators and PC-9M pilots learned during the exercise was how to conduct night missions. This marked the first time the Slovenian army accomplished night operations using actual aircraft. The Slovenian army also received training on calling in live airstrikes.
In addition, the training provided Airmen with the ability to execute live CAS training missions using live ordnance close to home station. To maintain currency, U.S. JTACs must conduct at least one live CAS mission every six months.
"This training afforded our Airmen the opportunity to hone their skills to hit targets that the ground commanders want destroyed," said Maj. Bryan Trinkle, the 8th ASOS operations officer. "The most exciting part is seeing the younger Airmen and the Slovenian TACP operators work through the challenges this type of training presents. It gives them confidence that they will be helping to save lives downrange."
Col. Jean Vite, 4th Air Support Operations Group commander, coined three of Slovenia's first JTACs in recognition of their hard work.
One of the recognized JTACs, Slovenian army Staff Sgt. Rudolf Rot said the exercise was very beneficial for both sides.
"They are coming here to help us get knowledge, assist in teaching us, and also learning from our experiences," Sergeant Rot said. "They are very motivated Airmen, very helpful and friendly, and we are looking forward to long-term cooperation."
Sergeant Ramos said that, even though the main objective for this live fire training was to solidify coalition capabilities, the training helped set the stage for U.S. and Slovenian partnership in today's fight and real-world situations in the future.
"The partnership we've been working over the past few years to strengthen (capabilities) is coming to fruition in the form of realistic CAS training, opportunities to attend multinational specialized courses, and unifying the TACP concept capable of supporting any contingency operation worldwide," Sergeant Ramos said.
Comments
2/11/2011 1:00:36 PM ET The flag patch on TSgt Ramos' jacket appears to be the flag patch worn on the right arm by Army personnel. All the TACP's I ran into while downrange wear the uniform the Army unit they are assigned to wear so he probably has a few of those patches. You are wrong about the ABU's, some units have be authorized to wear other headgear. Red Horse is a notable example. Anyway good job TACPs on training the Slovenians.
MM, FL
2/11/2011 5:19:48 AM ET Ok...Two questions.Why is the American flag reversed on TSgt Ramos' jacket and not reversed on Maj Trinkle's gear? Next I thought with the ABU's we were ONLY authorized to wear berets or patrol caps--in ref to TSgt Ramos' cap. Just saying...standards are standards and they apply to us all no matter the AFSC.
