Closest thing to combat: Allied Strike 10: "GRAFENWOEHR, Germany (AFNS) -- Air Force, Army and NATO joint terminal attack controllers and tactical air control party members joined together to participate in exercise Allied Strike 10 July 23 through Aug. 5 here.
Allied Strike is Europe's premier close air support exercise, which is held annually to conduct robust, realistic close air support training. The training also assists in building partnership capacity among NATO nations and joint services that help refine the latest operational CAS tactics.
"Allied Strike is the only joint/combined multi-national, combined cast, focused event like this in Europe," said Lt. Col. Jon Berry, the 4th Air Operations Support Group director of operations. "This event allows us to bring all these entities together and focus on graduate-level tactics training and procedures."
The NATO countries with participants in the event are Belgium, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Portugal.
The first of nine training days and four live-fly days kicked off with Air Force members competing in an obstacle course and then transitioned into M-4 rifle and M-9 pistol training before the opening day came to an end.
The first part of the exercise allows airmen to become familiar with each other and fine tune their combat skills before advancing to the second portion of the training, where Army and NATO members will be introduced to the scenarios.
During the joint/combined multi-national training, JTACs and TACPs from all participating nations will be integrated into an organization modeled after the structure of ongoing contingency operations in Afghanistan. In order to benefit from the shared experiences of all the participants, each member will take part in all aspects of the exercise.
To ensure a smooth operation between countries in forward-operating locations, the events were intended to imitate the tactical air control system, Army air ground system, and digital command and control structure from platoon to battalion operating in Afghanistan. The scenario being replicated trains JTAC and TACP members to conduct CAS missions, while supporting Army units in a counter-insurgency operation.
Building stronger partnerships allow the nations to work as one cohesive unit here or while deployed.
"We share ideas with each other that allow us to approach something from a different angle that we may not have thought of," said Capt. Todd Judice, the 4th ASOG assistant director of operations. "Almost everyone here will be going to Afghanistan at some point, and it's important we replicate real-world scenarios."
Members receiving training and opposing forces will be equipped with different training munitions to replicate actual conditions faced on the ground during urban, dismounted, and convoy operations. These include small-arms marking rounds, as well as simulated rocket-propelled grenades, improvised explosive devices, booby traps, and man portable air defense systems.
"We hope, when they leave, they think it's the most realistic training they ever had and say, 'I'm ready,' when they are deployed," Captain Judice said. "We are not going to fail them. If they don't get it right, we will make them do it until they do."
Although the persistence and toughness of the training may never match the real conflict, it is about realizing the seriousness of the mission.
"I would like all the participants to take away an understanding and appreciation for the criticality of what this mission set is about," Colonel Berry said. "I want to provide them with the very best training venue possible and ensure they leave here with a positive experience."
