JAGOG: training air-ground combat prowess at the NTC and JRTC

FA Journal, Sept-Oct, 2005 by Arden B. Dahl

The contract ASOCs also have detailed mission analysis capabilities to enhance Air Warrior feedback and the debriefing of the BCT staffs, TACPs and aircrews. The ASOCs employ enhanced computational technologies to record, analyze and highlight battle successes and failures; provide timely analysis of the integration of air and ground elements; and develop pertinent documentation for unit lessons, trends and future training. At the end of the rotations, every TACP and flying unit departs with a comprehensive "take-home" package of mission playback data and analysis.

The contract ASOC's impact on the BCT is threefold. In addition to better replicating TACS and its processes, the ASOC boosts airspace command, control and coordination for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operations in concert with the Army airspace command and control ([A.sup.2][C.sup.2]) function. It also improves the air-ground integration between the FSE/FEC and TACP and their systems within the TOC, a blending of Blue and Green teamwork.

As a final note, the contract ASOC's wealth of operational experience fosters institutional cross-talk between the participants and NTC/JRTC-Air Warrior O/Cs. This interaction will bolster combat skills across the joint spectrum.

Other Air Warrior Initiatives. (3) There are several other Air Warrior initiatives that need quick mention. For example, both Air Warrior programs are increasingly employing a wider variety of aircraft, weapons and sensors in their exercises.

The use of B-52s, B-1s and even B-2s has become routine at the JRTC, both in scenario training and during Leesville-DeRidder-Oakdale urban CAS training. The first B-52 deployed to Nellis this year specifically to execute CAS at the NTC. "Bomber" CAS brings new air-ground capabilities (loiter, munitions and sensors) and challenges (airspace and training).

The first F-15E Strike Eagle employment at both the NTC and JRTC also occurred during the last 18 months.

Air Warrior II also has been working joint surveillance and target attack radar system (JSTARS) E-8 aircrews to help track and point fighters to mobile OPFOR mortars in the counterfire mission.

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Air Warrior continues to bring in joint and allied air units. Joint players have included USN F/A-18s and USMC F/A-18s and AV-8Bs. Allied units include Royal Air Force GR-3 Jaguars and GR-4 Tornados and French Mirage 2000 aircraft. Allies also have sent their TACPs to NTC and JRTC rotations. This trend likely will grow based on the interest other allies have expressed.

The United Kingdom is interested in joining the contract ASOC program as a possible training venue. The latter matches up with a JAGOG plan (FY06) to invite ASOC combat personnel to serve in the contract ASOCs as a training audience. They would train to support a brigade fight, coordinate air and airspace at the UEx level (two-star TOC) and connect to the CAS functions of the CAOC-N at Nellis AFB.

Finally, an important near-term effort at the NTC will aim to improve joint airspace command and control above and below the coordination altitude. The proliferation of UAVs in the BCT battle has increased the difficulty for current [A.sup.2][C.sup.2], ASOC and higher echelon theater air control functions to deconflict and integrate artillery, UAVs, rotary- and fixed-wing players--and, ultimately, to defend the airspace. Meeting this challenge is a specific JNTC objective for the NTC 05-10 rotation and a major issue from the latest Joint Service Chiefs' Forum