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Show 6 TIMES July 29, 2010 HILLTOP TIMES Green Flag prepares Airmen, Soldiers for joint fight F-16 crews find scenarios hone skills, enhance team work BY CHARLES RAMEY Nellis Public Affairs N ELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — As he flies a combat air patrol over the cities of Medina Wasl and Medina Jabal, Capt. James Russell pushes up the throttle on his F-16. His $20 million aircraft is running low on fuel and a KC-135 is standing by in the distance to top off the tanks, but it will have to wait. Soldiers are pinned down in a firefight below and he can hear the hail of gunfire over the radio as he checks in with the on-scene joint terminal attack controller. Working together, the two quickly check off a laundry list of items while plotting a solution to minimize collateral damage. Russell is "cleared hot" and, with the push of a button,delivers a 500-pound package to the doorstep of the enemy. The laser-guided munition hits its target, neutralizing the LAWRENCE CRESPO/U.S. Air Force* threat. With the fuel gauges indicatSenior Airman Norman Rollock, crew chief with 'the 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, marshals an F-16 to the taxi way at ing the Fighting Falcon is close to Nellis during Green Flag-West 10-8, on July 20. The 388th Fighter Wing from Hill Air Force Base was training with U.S. Army . operating on fumes, the 26-year-old Soldiers to hone their air-land integration skills for success in U.S. current operations. Westchester, N.Y. native heads for the tanker. After taking on 3,000 pounds of fuel, he returns to the scene to ening prepared for a full spectrum of and 400 armored and support vehipopulated and fully-functioning cities • sure the fight is finished before head- operations is what we face in Iraq and cles from the enemy in "The Box," a as well as a series of smaller villages • ing home. Afghanistan on a daily basis." 1,000-square-mile combat training en- and settlements that replicate condi- , Twenty times per year, the 57th vironment contained inside the NTC. tions our forces will find in Iraq and Supporting forces in danger is just Wing hosts Green Flag exercises to Afghanistan. The Soldiers' job is to one of many no-notice scenarios that "The National Training Center is prepare Airmen such as Russell for build trust and understanding while Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines the last stop for Army combat brithe full spectrum of operations he and gades before they deploy downrange," neutralizing insurgent threats and and allied forces face as they engage his wingmen could face during their said U.S. Army Maj. Terrence Adams, their power base among the civilian , . in today's fight in Iraq and Afghanipopulation." a ground liaison officer in the NTC's stan. However, Russell has yet to fly a combat deployments. Ten of those combat mission in either country. July exercises are conducted jointly by the Operations Group. "The exercise is As the ground liaison officer, Adams designed to integrate all assets in com9-22, he was at Nellis Air Force Base 549th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis and the 12th Combat Training preparing for an upcoming deploybined arms operations in support of Squadron at Fort Irwin. ment to Afghanistan by participating the Army on the ground. We have two See GREEN FLAG I page 7 in Green Flag-West 10-8 with other "This is the premier training exermembers of the 4th Fighter Squadron cise preparing our Airmen for combat from Hill Air Force Basre^u deployments," said Lt. Col. Robert Chavez, commander of the 549th CTS. "The training we get here cannot be any more realistic," Russell said "It's where U.S. Air Force, joint and after completing his close air support coalition aircrews hone their air-land mission over the U.S. Army's National integration skills and prepare for sucTraining Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., cess in support of our current operaJuly 19. "You don't know exactly what tions." your mission is stepping out the door. An unscripted battle, Green Flag The situation could be anything from provides units with training on a 'Hey, I need you to go check out this scale not available at or near their road and search for anything suspihome stations. The exercise replicious' to 'We have troops in contact cates irregular warfare conditions, at this location being shot at and and aircrews — working closely with they need your help right now.' BeJTACs — protect nearly 6,000 Soldiers Capt. Mike Seltzer, 4th Fighter Squadron F-16 pilot performs a pre-f light inspection on an AIM-120 Advanced MediumRange Airto-Air Missile prior to his part in the exercise on July 20. Benefits may include: * Up to 100% paid tuition and fees * Up to $1000 a year for books and supplies • Monthly Housing Allowance You may also qualify to • Transfer benefits to your spouse or dependents AETC special duty team briefing Aug. 3 H ave you ever considered taking on the challenge of replenishing the ranks of Air Force as an Air Force recruiter? Molding civilians into highly motivated airman as an Air Force Military Training Instructor (MTI)? Mentoring and guiding young Airmen as they transition from BMT as a Military Training Leader (MTL)? Enhancing the careers of countless future and current NCOs as a PME instructor? The AETC Special Duty Team can answer any questions you may have concerning these challenging and rewarding careers. The team will brief on all aspects of the previously mentioned special duty opportunities on Aug. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in Building 385 (the Airman Leadership School) in the auditorium. Spouses of the potential applicants are highly encouraged to attend. Airmen 1st class with at least 24 months Time In Service (TIS) through technical sergeants with less than 16 years Total Active Federal Military Service (TAFMS) are invited to attend the briefing. Master sergeants are hired on a caseby-case basis and encouraged to attend. Tox)btain more information on the AETC Special Duty Team briefing, please contact the Wing Career Assistance advisor, Master Sgt. Julie McQueen at (801) 777-7829. POST V 9/11 GI BILL It's Your Future www.gibill.va.gqy 1-888-GIBILL-l (1-888-442-4551) Be advised this line only accepts calls from 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Central Time. t 4' i •9 t £ t t |