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Show HILLTOP TIMES TIMES July 29; 2010 Tech. Sgt. Jonathon Peck, of the 388th Maintenance Operations Squadron, assists Col. Scott Zobrist, 388th FW commander, into his F-16 during Green Flag West 10-8 at Nellis Air Force Base on July 20. Zobrist led his wing team during the Green Flag training exercise. The wing is training with U.S. Army Soldiers in a realistic air-land integration training environment in preparation for deployment in support of worldwide combat operations. LAWRENCE CRESPO U.S. Air Force 1 PUSH BUTTON TO OPEN DOOR 2, PULL RING OUT 6 F£ET TO JETTISON CANOPY . GREEN FLAG From page 6 works directly with the Air Force in support of the combat brigades. As the Army's subject matter expert, he provides Airmen with details for a variety of missions so they can effectively plan, integrate and provide the proper air support to warfighters on the ground. "I'm involved in any operation where the Army needs support from the air," Adams said. "Oftentimes, units are looking for a specific type of effect and will ask for certain assets without realizing that another airframe or piece of equipment may do the job better. As requests come up, I'll look at them with the Air Force and explain what the unit's overall objective is. Then, working with Green Flag, we either validate or tweak those requests so the units get the effect they're looking for." Integration is a key ingredient in Green Flag's success. In addition to Soldiers such as Maj. Adams working with the Air Force, the 57th Wing has a group of Airmen that lives with the Army to support the fight from the ground. Known as "Team Raven," a 30-person team from 12th Combat Training Squadron is permanently stationed at Fort Irwin and works alongside the NTC's Operations Group to execute air support operations. "The primary mission of Team Raven during Green Flag is to effectively integrate and synchronize airpower into the brigade's scheme of maneuver," said Lt. Col. Tracey Murchison, 12th CTS commander. "We are also the liaisons between the NTC and JTACs embedded with deployed combat brigades. In this role, we serve as mentors, and provide coaching, instrac- 15% Off HAFB Employees ID Rcnulr«i "Oftentimes, units are looking for a specific type of effect and will ask for certain assets without realizing that another airframe or piece of equipment may do the job better." U.S. ARMY MAJ. TERRENCE ADAMS, a ground liaison officer in the NTC's Operations Group tion and over-watch of JTACs during missions." While the 12th CTS supports the fight from the battlefield, its sister unit, the 549th CTS, assists the units who provide the airpower. Squadron members come from a variety of airframes and serve as aircrew and intelligence combat trainers, mission execution safety observers and training facilitators. They also ensure all the support that organizations need to operate out of Nellis is provided. During flying operations, they provide real-time command, control and communications, and collect data to thoroughly debrief aircrews following each mission. "The situation we're in right now is unlike any previous wars we've fought," said Maj. James Barlow, 549th CTS director of operations. "The enemy's tactic is to blend into the civilian population because they know how much time we spend in preventing collateral damage. We spend a lot of time studying the enemy and changing what we do to keep a pulse on their tactics." As tactics change, so do the objectives of units deploying to support counter-insurgency operations. The 12th CTS and 549th CTS work together to ensure exercise participants get training in areas they identify. Senior Airmen Jorge Schweitzer, crew chief, shakes Capt. Paul Doughty's hand as Schweitzer wishes him a safe flight prior to closing the aircraft canopy July 20 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. Both Airmen are assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing. "During Green Flag 10-8, one of the objectives of the 4th Fighter Squadron was to practice integration with remotely piloted aircraft," Barlow said. "We put them on the fight at the same time and passed scenarios from the NTC that forced them to work together to maximize the strengths of each weapons system. Then we dissected how they did and sent them out the next day to do it all over again." As an A-10 pilot with more than 100 missions in Afghanistan, Barlow participated in Green Flag prior to his deployment. And, like the rest of his peers, has brought his combat experience back to improve the program. "I directly supported the Army during 56 troops in contact situations and deployed weapons off my aircraft 28 times," he said. "That actual kinetic gunfight is what we practice here, but the other 28 times I was able to move Still HAFB's #1 Favorite Homemade Mexican Restaurant Since 1976 Lunch & Dinner Buffet Mon-Sat 11 am to 2 pm & 5 pm to 9 pm % 20 OFF MILITARY You'll Love Our Food or It's Free 1145 South State, Clearfield * Mm 773-7579 Capt. Mike Seltzer, 4th Fighter Squadron pilot from Hill Air Force Base, sets cockpit switches on his F-16 prior to take off during Green Flag-West 10-8 on July 20. through the spectrum and use non-kinetic effects to diffuse the situation. The amount of force that's required is the amount of force we'll employ and that's what we teach here." "For us going down range very shortly, this training is invaluable," Capt. Russell said prior to returning to Hill Air Force Base. "We're honored to be invited and have the opportunity to practice with a home field advantage before heading into harm's way." 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