SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Airmen from the 737th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron and the 82nd Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron joined forces for drop zone control officer training here Feb. 10, 2015.
The training enhanced the capabilities of both the Tactical Air Control Party Airmen with the 82nd EASOS and the C-130 crew from the 737th EAS.
Although their primary mission is close air support capabilities, the TACP Airmen are the link between the Army and Air Force.
“We are primarily assigned to Army ground units and when they need any type of air support, they look to us,” said Senior Airman Mathew Eischens, 82nd EASOS.
When the Airmen receive a request for resupply, typically for food, water, fuel or ammunition, they coordinate with higher headquarters to request the drop.
“If they deem an aerial resupply is necessary, they will send us an aircraft,” Eischens said. “We will coordinate the drop, and once they are in the area, we will guide them in using safe parameters to get the resupply in the right spot.”
To ensure the supplies are delivered correctly, the Airmen forward the coordinates and any terrain information to the crew. The also mark the drop zone area with a pre-coordinated symbol and markers to each side so the aircrew can visually identify the drop zone on approach. Once they aircraft is inbound, the controllers provide wind speed and other info from the ground, then give clearance for the drop.
The TACP Airmen typically get the training on an annual basis, depending on the unit, but conducting the training in the area of operations is rare, said Capt. Scott Chuck, 82nd EASOS air liaison officer.
“This is my first time,” he said. “Very rarely will you get to practice it. We mostly do computer-based training or have an air mobility liaison officer do a presentation. Having these guys come out and do an actual airdrop is where the real value added is.”
Chuck worked with Capt. Matthew Zahler, 385th Air Expeditionary Group air mobility liaison officer, who coordinated between the 82nd EASOS and the 737th EAS.
“TACPs are embedded at the various hard-to-reach locations with the Army and Marines,” said Capt. Zahler. “I always try to include them in this training because when the ‘stuff hits the fan’ the Army and Marines usually turn to them and ask, ‘Air Force, can you do this?’”
Zahler also coordinated with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command to provide bundles and riggers to support the training.
The C-130 dropped a total of six pallets of water and made several other passes to give each TACP an opportunity as the DZCO. On the final pass, the C-130 tipped its wing to the Airmen and left the area.
“This training is something that has become more and more relevant with the nature of operations in the AOR,” Chuck said. “Our guys could be forward deployed at any time and be the only Air Force assets with an Army brigade. This training helps us become DZCO qualified.”