Integration team developing new ways to win the fight

Published Feb. 18, 2011
By Tech. Sgt. Randy Redman
321st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGHDAD -- Modern warfare has undergone significant changes over the past decade. As communication technology has improved, so has the ability to call in the right team for the right job on the battlefield. Here in Iraq, the Joint Air Operations Integration Team is opening the eyes of Iraqis to the possibilities available in a joint environment.

According to Lt. Col. John Sloan, JAOIT chief, the mission of tis team is to facilitate the integration of Iraqi ground forces with the Iraqi Air Force. Soldiers calling for an air strike, requesting troop transport and how to direct aircraft and their sensors in a real-time operation are just a few examples of integration the JAOIT specializes in teaching.

"We have built and execute several training courses [such as] the Iraqi Forward Observer, the Liaison Officer course and the Iraqi Forward Air Controller course," said Colonel Sloan, an F-16 pilot and Elmhurst, Ill., native. "Whether they just want pictures taken for mission planning or they want an aircraft overhead sending down a live video feed during an operation, we give them the skill-set and confidence to make it happen."

Lessons cover different operational aircraft in the IqAF inventory, including the King Air-350, Cessna Caravan, CH-2000 and C-130 Hercules. Rotary-wing aircraft lessons cover the Mi-17 legacy, Mi-17MM and UH-1 Huey II. In the future, the team plans to expand their curriculum to cover new aircraft such as the EC-635 Eurocopter and Bell 407 when and if they are fully integrated into operations.

Capt. Ken Howell, a munitions maintenance officer originally from Trenton, N.J., is focused on running the forward observer class, which is the main course used to cover the fundamental tasks. The class covers basic map reading, how to request air support, how to talk to pilots and mission sensor operators and more.

The Liaison Officer course focuses on the advantages of conducting ground operations with aerial support. The forward air controller course builds on to the IFO course with a more in-depth study of airpower, with focus on adding and incorporating kinetic operations into their plan.

"Tactically, this capability gives the Iraqis an extra weapon in the fight that their enemy cannot counter or replicate. Strategically it builds a partnership between ground forces and the [Iraqi] Air Force that is critical to a sustainable security in Iraq," said Colonel Sloan. "...our main job is to help build relationships and lines of communication between the Iraqi Air Force and the Iraqi Army."

The rest of the team is made up of individuals from various locations with assorted skill sets, including a helicopter pilot from Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash., an Intel officer from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, and a command and control specialist from Nellis AFB, Nev. In addition to acting as team chief, Colonel Sloan also teaches the IFAC course and assists the IqAF on all live-fire exercises from their aircraft.

The helicopter pilot, Capt. Brent Golembiewski, is focused on teaching the LNO syllabus. He said one of the biggest obstacles the team faces is getting the different branches of the Iraqi military to communicate with one another. For example, team recently held a class at Forward Operating Base Garry Owen, Iraq, a small U.S. Army outpost and home to the 10th Iraqi Army Division Headquarters, to explain air capabilities and to teach how to request it.

"During my first briefing in class, I asked the group how many of them knew that their country had helicopters. They looked at each other confused, and not a single one raised a hand or acknowledged it," said Captain Golembiewski, originally from Davisburg, Mich. "The interpreter leaned over to me and said, 'They don't know they have helicopters.' I knew this was a problem but didn't realize how severe it was."

Capt. Brianne Petersen, originally from Syracuse, Utah, is the quality control officer for all of the training material, and helps bring in the intelligence perspectives from both the men in the field and the Iraqi Air Operations Center.

Captain Peterson is also responsible for pulling all of the training together into one big project. The final mission for each of the courses is a live-fire exercise where the students work with an aircraft to accomplish designed training objectives.

According to Colonel Sloan, the command and control specialist has the most thankless job. Master Sgt. Ed Day, from Radcliff, Ky., is responsible for coordinating all travel plans, and ensuring the team has the required facilities to host the training. In addition, if the training is held on a U.S.-operated installation in Iraq, Sergeant Day is in charge of making sure all the students have access to the facilities.

The bottom line is that integration is a very important skill-set the Iraqi military aspires to master, said Colonel Sloan. To own and operate in the air - air superiority - can be the difference between success and failure.

"With our limited time remaining in country, it is imperative that we get this training to as many troops that we can," said Colonel Sloan. "We are teaching the teachers - empowering them with the skills to carry on so this capability can ensure this country's security for years to come."