A primer of the United States Air Force aircraft/missile Technical Coordination Program

DISAM Journal, Winter, 2003 by Forrest Smith

This article was inspired by the numerous questions from students and our international purchasers on the working of the Technical Coordination Program (TCP). The organizations that provide these services fill a critical role in the maintaining the systems for which they are responsible. The information presented in this article is a combined effort of all the Technical Coordination Group Chiefs and their staffs. The Technical Coordination Groups (TCGs) are always evolving. This article reflects the organizations as they were organized on January 1, 2004.

Introduction

To maintain today's modern aircraft, engines, armament and other systems requires a great deal of technical expertise. According Brigadier General Jeff Riemer, Commander, Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC), at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, our international customers fly over 6,600 aircraft and have purchased numerous other complex systems that need continuous modifications and upgrades. The United States Air Force (USAF) meets the needs of the international customer through the TCP.

International Engine Management Groups

This article will not be addressing the two International Engine Management Groups (IEMG) which are both located at OO-ALC, Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. A future article is planned to cover these unique groups.

Formation of the First Technical Coordination Group

For more than twenty-six years, the United States Air Force (USAF) has been supporting the foreign military sales (FMS) and security assistance (SA) countries with what have become known as TCGs. Prior to 1976, the international users of USAF weapons systems were supported by the System Program Manager (SPM). When weapons were relatively uncomplicated and international users did not operate a significant percentage of the fleet, the SPM generally provided adequate support. As the weapon systems became more complicated and larger percentages of the total fleet were operated by international users, the SPMs were able to devote less and less of their time and effort on support of internationally operated systems.

By 1972 this situation was becoming critical and the Air Staff proposed that some type of plan be developed to furnish technical support to the foreign users of the F-4 weapon system. The F-4 SPM at Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC) tasked a group with developing a program that would provide the services and support the foreign customers needed. They found that Sacramento Air Logistics Center (SM-ALC) had a Logistics Support Group working under direct cases to provide some logistics support of the F-104 to international users; however, the format of the F-104 program did not seem to be what the F-4 FMS customer countries needed. After an extensive study, a program for providing a cadre or core group of USAF personnel dedicated solely to providing follow-on maintenance support to FMS countries was developed. The Air Staff approved the program and in April 1974, the TCP concept was approved.

Since the first formal TCG to support the F-4 was created in 1976, the program has expanded to encompass a variety of major weapon systems. The programs supported by individual TCGs include the F-4, F-5, A/T-37, F-16, F-15, E-3, C-130, KC-135, Tactical Missiles, Precision Guided Munitions (PGM), Low Altitude Navigation Targeting Infrared at Night, Electronic Combat Systems and various Engines.

The charter for these programs is now addressed in AFMAN 16-101, International Affairs and Security Assistance Management. Chapter 7 this publication defines the services and provides that FMS customers pay on a prorated basis to receive these services.

The Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA) has delegated day-day oversight to Air Force Security Assistance Center (AFSAC/IAS). After joining a program, participation is considered to be a continuous requirement unless the member country notifies AFSAC 180 calendar days prior to the expiration of the current Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA). Supplemental conditions, as an attachment to the LOA, briefly explain the services which would be provided by each TCG.

Benefits of Technical Coordination Group Membership

Once a system is procured the TCGs provide a single point of contact for countries on all their technical concerns regarding their respective systems. This means the country has direct contact via telephone, fax, and e-mail with any of the TCG team specialists. Member countries can call the TCG directly for all Aircraft/Weapon System technical issues instead of routing messages through various organizations, providing a quicker turn around time on all questions and concerns.

The TCG program provides dedicated follow-on technical and engineering support to the FMS customers to improve serviceability, maintainability and reliability. In addition the TGC provides follow-on support to improved parts and maintenance techniques, improved inspection and overhaul intervals, modifications, etc.