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  • More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered this weekend in the little-known Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers. In order to complete their missions, teams of blended forces must use the warfighters most flexible and powerful tool: airpower. Atlantic Strike VI, a semi-annual training event sponsored by U.S. Central Command Air Forces, is aimed at preparing Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Joint Fires Observers for urban close air support operations. For the 800 military members spread across several operating locations, including MacDill Air Force Base, Homestead Air Reserve Base and Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., Shaw AFB, S.C., Seymour Johnson AFB, N.C. and Robins AFB, Ga., the intense training event begins today; battles continue day and night through Nov. (Photo story by Airman 1st Class Stephenie Wade)

    Atlantic Strike VI

  • A fully armed MQ-9 Reaper taxis down an Afghanistan runway Nov. 4, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

    Reaper drops first precision-guided bomb, protects ground forces

    The MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack platform by dropping its first precision-guided bomb Nov. 7. "The beauty of the MQ-9 Reaper is that we're able to synchronize and integrate unmanned aerial attack platforms over the skies of Afghanistan, allowing us to persistently and consistently track
  • The unit seal for the Tactical Air Control Party battery at Varde, Denmark. Danish JTACs are participating in Atlantic Strike VI, a U.S. Central Command Air Forces-sponsored exercise focused on improving air-ground coordination during urban close air support operations. The slogan translates to "our anger hits you hard." (Courtesy Photo)

    Denmark, Canada hone close air support skills alongside USAF JTACs

    Joint Terminal Attack Controllers, specialists in airpower embedded in ground units to assist Airmen in delivering the effects of airpower, are used to working in multi-service and multi-national operations. In order to replicate the collaborative environment of the modern battlefield, planners at Atlantic Strike VI invited close air support
  • A-10s from Spangdahlem Air Base depart MacDill AFB for Avon Park Fla. in support of exercise Atlantic Strike VI; a U.S. Central Command Air Forces exercise focused on Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and urban close air support operations. (U.S. Air Force By Photo Airman 1st Class Stephenie Wade)

    Close air support exercise challenges aircrews, ground forces, base support

    The cool evening is still as three camouflaged insurgents watch an Army patrol approach their village. Unbeknownst to the saboteurs, an Air Force targeting pod is closely watching their position and relaying information to the ground commander. Suddenly, a deafening explosion drowns out all sound and the overwatch position is engulfed in smoke,
  • AFGHANISTAN -- General Atomics contractors Alexander Holcomb and Darryl France off-load an AGM-114 Hellfire missile from a fully armed MQ-9 Reaper after landing on an Afghanistan runway Nov. 4, 2007. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Brian Ferguson)

    Airpower Summary for November 7

    Coalition airpower integrated with Coalition ground forces in Iraq and the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan in the following operations Nov. 7, according to Combined Air and Space Operations Center officials here. In Afghanistan, he MQ-9A Reaper demonstrated it's unique precision strike capability as a hunter-killer attack
  • Airman Josh Lacki prepares to fire at "enemy" troops during Atlantic Strike VI Nov. 6 at Avon Park, Fla. Airman Lacki is a tactical air control party member from the 11th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Hood, Texas. He is part of the opposition forces during the exercise to challenge joint terminal attack controllers working with Army platoons to use airpower in urban close-air-support operations. The exercise is scheduled to last through Nov. 9. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephenie Wade)

    Warfighters gather to train for close air support operations: Atlantic Strike VI evolves into 'the most focused JTAC training available'

    More than 200 warfighters from around the world gathered this weekend in the little-known Avon Park Military Training Complex in central Florida to combat a simulated enemy force comprised of insurgent groups, roadside bombs and hidden snipers. In order to complete their missions, teams of blended forces must use the warfighters most flexible and
  • AFGHANISTAN - An Air Force loadmaster secures the ramp of a C-130 Hercules after dropping critical supplies to replenish Coalition ground forces. Airdrops provide re-supply to forward operating locations in Afghanistan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Andy Huneycutt)

    Airpower Summary for November 4: Airdrop, Airdrop, Airdrop!

    How do Coalition ground forces keep the enemy on the run in Afghanistan's mountainous terrain where roads are extremely limited (or simply don't exist) and still manage to get much needed supplies? Airdrop! Airdrop! Airdrop! For six days, from Oct. 25 to Nov. 1, the U.S. Air Force achieved more than a 99% recovery rate for airdropped supplies in
  • BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Brig. Gen. Dana Simmons, Air Force Office of Special Investigations commander, and Brig. Gen. Burt Field, 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing commander, unveil the names of the three special agents added to the Fallen Airman Memorial here, Nov. 4. Special Agents Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss of AFOSI Expeditionary Detachment 2411 paid the ultimate sacrifice Nov. 1. Their names join the other 40 Airmen listed on the memorial who died serving in Iraq. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)

    Balad Fallen Airman Memorial adds three warriors

    The names of three Airmen who made the ultimate sacrifice were added to the Fallen Airman Memorial here Nov. 4. Special Agents Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss died of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device Nov. 1. "All three were outstanding role models, exceptional warriors and great American patriots who died in
  • BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Master Sgt. Anthony Turner, 332nd Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron first sergeant, consoles Master Sgt. April Spiczka, 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group Detachment 1 first sergeant, during the memorial service for three fallen Special Agents here, Nov. 4. Airmen and Soldiers gathered to honor the service and sacrifice of Special Agents Thomas Crowell, David Wieger and Nathan Schuldheiss of Air Force Office of Special Investigations Expeditionary Detachment 2411 who died Nov. 1, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. John Sheets)

    Fallen OSI agents honored

    A memorial service was held here Nov. 4 to honor the lives of three Air Force Office of Special Investigations agents who paid the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom. Airmen and Soldiers gathered to pay their respects and celebrate the lives of Master Sgt. Thomas A. Crowell, 36, of Neosho, Mo.; Staff Sgt. David A. Wieger, 28, of North
  • BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Senior Airman Jonathan Zielinski, 332nd Expeditionary Mission Support Group Detachment 1 Mayor Cell automations technician, connects patches to a panel. The patch panel is the hub that connects users to the network. Airman Zielinski is deployed from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Joshua Garcia)

    Mayor cell

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