717th EASOS supports ground troops through air superiority

Published April 11, 2014
By Senior Airman Jared Trimarchi
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

AL UDEID AIR BASE, Qatar -- Although the transfer out of Afghanistan is currently underway, the need for close air support to provide protection for U.S. and coalition forces during Operation Enduring Freedom is still a much needed part of the mission.

The 717th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron which is located at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar, and is part of the 504th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Group, acts as a 911 call center to troops on the ground who are in need of close air support.

After previously being located in Kabul, Afghanistan, the 717th EASOS has relocated to AUAB to be closer to the Combined Air Operations Center which oversees aerial assets of the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility.

"Since our transfer out of Afghanistan, our unit has been able to coordinate with the CAOC face-to-face," Maj. Robert Rankin, 717th EASOS director of operations who is deployed from Fort Hood, Texas, and a native of Miami, Fla. "The 717th allocates air power to the ground commander to effect close air support, and we do that all from here."

When a ground unit is in direct fire, a Joint Terminal Air Controller who is embedded with the unit, calls the 717th EASOS to provide air support.

"After receiving a call for help from our ground forces, we look for an aircraft in the area of responsibility which can provide the right type of air support to protect our troops," Rankin said.
According to Senior Airman Nickolas Waytkus, a 717th EASOS radio operator who is deployed from Fort Hood and a native of Hudson Falls, N.Y., said he is humbled to provide air support for the troops who are on the front lines.

"As a Tactical Air Control Party Airmen, I am training to become a JTAC, who calls in airstrikes on the ground," Waytkus said. "I am glad I'm doing this first because it broadens my spectrum of what the big picture is and what's happening on the ground. I feel when it's my turn to be on the ground I will know what information I need to pass up when I'm routing up for close air support."

The 717th EASOS Airmen work with Royal Air Force service members to provide a quick response time to troops under fire.

RAF Senior Aircraftsman Lee Mallows, who is from Leeds, England, said being part of the air support mission has been rewarding.

"When we get a call for air support it's humbling to know we helped make someone's day a little bit better," Mallows said. "When guys on the ground call in to say thanks, it's an honor to know I was a part of it."