Bradley Fighting Vehicle while wearing level 2 Mission-Oriented Protective Posture (MOPP) gear during Combined Resolve V on Oct. 2... VIEW ORIGINAL
10 NATO Allies and Europe... VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC), participate in Combined Resolve V, a series of U.S. Army Europe exercises designed to train participants to function together in a multinational and integrated environment at the Grafenwoehr and Hohenfels Training Area in southeastern Germany.
"My job is a JTAC… we're the ones that coordinate all the air strikes in support of the Army, "said U.S. Air Force Staff. Sgt. Mathew Shaw, a member of the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS) from Ft. Stewart, Georgia. "If you guys have ever heard of dropping JDAMs (joint direct attack munitions) or anything like that, we're the ones that the Army tells us where they want the bombs to be dropped."
Shaw has deployed twice, serving both tours in Afghanistan. He said that his training and experience in Afghanistan differs from the training he is experiencing during Combined Resolve V.
"This fight is completely different," said Shaw. "Probably the best part of this training is that it is an actual tank fight, and we have actual tanks moving around. You actually see that these tanks are moving…they're not slowing down, they're not stopping…they're gonna keep moving on you as fast as they want to."
Most of Shaw's training and experience has been in the form of light infantry tactics.
"Usually we're fighting personnel, so it's just guys with AK [47s], maybe even some mortar system," said Shaw. "So, the targets we're attacking are vastly different than those in Afghanistan."
The role of a JTAC is a unique and invaluable asset for the military's fighting forces. By training and fighting alongside troops in contact, a JTAC is able to communicate how, when and where close-air support (CAS) is needed.
"The Army's real big on mortars and artillery. They're more of an area target," said Shaw. "They're pretty good, they can hit most of their targets but… the JTACs, with the bombs we have; they're all GPS guided or laser guided."
By utilizing bombs that are GPS or laser guided, JTACs are able to ensure that their bombs are going to hit their targets the first time.
"They're gonna be a 500 lb. bomb or even larger, so the effects that we bring into the ground fight is a lot more significant," said Shaw.
Shaw said that he is excited for the opportunity to train in a different style of fighting and tactics.
The 15th ASOS was constituted on 4 Feb. 1943. Its patch includes the phrase "volantes superant loricata" which translates to, "air over armor." A fitting description for the role and upcoming training Shaw and his fellow JTACs will encounter during Combined Resolve V.
Soldiers from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division (Raiders) will be working alongside JTAC during force on force exercises throughout Combined Resolve V. The 4th Infantry Division Mission Command Element will be participating in the exercise as higher command and control functions. Also participating in Combined Resolve V are 10 NATO Allies and European Partner nations including Albania, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Georgia, Montenegro and Serbia.
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