AF intelligence officer visits 379th AEW

Published May 20, 2007
By 379th AEW Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- The deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance recently visited the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing to talk to wing intelligence and ISR squadrons about the importance of their mission and learn about new processes in the area of responsibility.

Capt. Lisa Corley and Maj. Todd Geohagan, 379th Expeditionary Operations Squadron Intelligence Flight officers, briefed Lt. Gen. David Deptula on the Centralized Mission Planning Cell at the wing.

"We have built the Centralized Mission Planning Cell over the past year and explained to him how it impacts the 37 intelligence units across the AOR in Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom," said Lt. Col. Bill Tart, 379th EOSS commander.

Colonel Tart said General Deptula was impressed by this innovation and the number of personnel is saves by having a central hub.

The general was also briefed on improvements in tactics, techniques and procedures developed by many of the Airmen at the wing and examined by Lt. Gen. Gary North, Central Air Forces Command commander, at the CENTAF Weapons and Tactics Conference.

General Deptula discussed how a combined arms campaign with integrated airpower is the only way to build on successes in both theaters.

"We stressed that all operations whether land, maritime or air begin with ISR," Colonel Tart said. "Many Airmen of the 379th EOSS and the wing flying squadrons all influence the fight through intelligence preparation of the battlefield for tomorrow's engagements or through real-time ISR collection and dissemination of timely, accurate and relevant data to people who can do something about it."

The general also visited the 763rd Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron whose RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft support theater- and national-level consumers with near real-time on-scene intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination capabilities.

He was briefed by the squadron intelligence flight and ended his visit with there by visiting an aircrew.

"While with the crew, he emphasized the importance of airborn ISR, and the RC-135 in the fight against the Taliban, al Qaida and the Global War on Terrorism," said Lt. Col. Bruce Mundie, 763rd ERS commander. "He expressed his gratitude for the 763rd ERS's commitment to our country and the Air Force, and he showed great interest in the results of two recent missions that increased the pressure on the Taliban in Afghanistan."

Understanding that the Global War on Terrorism is a combined effort of U.S. Forces and coalition forces, the general visited the 12th (Bomber) Squadron, which flies Tornado GR4s.

General Deptula was greeted by Air Commodore Paul Oborn, United Kingdom Air Component Commander, and introduced to Wing Commander Mike Wigston, Officer Commanding 12 (Bomber) Squadron, along with Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Owens and Warrant Officer Steven Warner.

He received a brief on the intelligence capabilities of the Tornado GR4 and its role in Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing armed overwatch for ground forces and reconnaissance for operational planning.

"The general was very keen to learn about the ability of the Tornado GR4 to provide imagery directly to ground forces in contact with the enemy," said Flight Lt. Owens. "He was enthusiastic about the assistance provided to the Tornado GR4 detachment for mission support by U.S. forces and discussed his thoughts on how this should be developed. He also expressed his interest in who might be the next prime minister of the UK."