Battlefield Airmen considered a weapon system

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Air Guard battlefield Airmen try out new equipment at the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center, Ariz., in May 2009. Battlefield Airmen held several weapon system working groups Oct. 19 to 23, 2009, as part of the annual Air Guard and Air Force Reserve Weapons and Tactics Conference. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith)
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Battlefield Airmen considered a weapon system

Posted 10/23/2009

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by Master Sgt. Mike R. Smith
National Guard Bureau

10/23/2009 - TUCSON, Ariz. (AFNS) -- The capabilities of battlefield Airmen are considered just as lethal as any advanced weapons system. For that reason, tactical air control party personnel, pararescuemen, security forces personnel and special operations weathermen have been included in the annual Weapons and Tactics Conference (WEPTAC) here this week.

Nearly 1,200 Air Force warfighters met in 30 working groups on Air Force weapons systems to decide on what's needed to succeed in future battles and missions. WEPTAC took place at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve Command Test Center here Oct. 19 to 23.

In the working groups that involved battlefield Airmen, there were two common questions: how to apply their combat experience to best recruit, train and equip themselves for the next battle, and how to present that to the leadership to get what they need.

"We provide the same deliverables that the other working groups provide and give the same briefings to the generals," said Capt. Jim Robinson, chairman for WEPTAC's security forces working group and commander of the 183rd Security Forces Squadron in Springfield, Ill.

Captain Robinson said that several years ago, the director of security forces advocated for security forces representation at WEPTAC. He said that inclusion has filled a need for equipment and funding, and a representative is now on the Air Guard's staff to represent them with decision-makers.

"He tries to get funding for us, the TACPs, PJs and others ... he goes behind closed doors with other weapon system reps to come to an agreement on who's going to get what, if anything."

But understanding how battlefield Airmen use their equipment, traditionally, different then how pilots use aircraft, is a challenge, said Senior Master Sgt. Nick Lowe, an Air Guard combat controller who manages joint tactical air control tests at the AATC.

"Sometimes it can be challenging to figure out how we fit in," he said.

Sergeant Lowe should know. He develops new technology for battlefield-Airmen the same way a test pilot develops new aircraft systems and tactics.

He said the field is acknowledging that more, along with how to go about leveraging a battlefield-Airman's capability with technology.

"WEPTAC for them (battlefield Airmen) is really useful, because they get visibility as a weapon system with the upper-tier leadership," Sergeant Lowe said. "This is the forum they use to air those problems and identify what they need to accomplish their combat missions."

Senior Master Sgt. John Babcock, chairman for WEPTAC's TACP and air special operations center working group, said the rapid growth of his Air Guard career field has brought recognition as well as challenges in recruiting, training and equipping. He said recruiters are concentrating on TACPs this year and bottlenecks at the schoolhouse are being addressed at WEPTAC.

Sergeant Babcock said being recognized as a weapon system at WEPTAC and by leadership helps, and it's a title held highly among the TACPs.

"We believe it gets us better visibility," he said. "A lot of problems will not necessarily be rectified, but gets better advocacy because we are recognized as a weapon system."

Comments

10/26/2009 4:19:12 PM ET
They are TESTING new equipment and uniforms.

ASOSDO, WEPTAC

10/26/2009 1:03:14 PM ET
This is a proud display of our finest and most elite. Our Battlefield Airmen are a surgical weapon to be employed deep into enemy territory or austere conditions to conduct a technical mission requirement. Their professionalism represents the DoD and our AF beyond report and their mission capability is on that increases mission effectiveness tenfold. This ultimately decreases commanders risk and saves countless lives and resources.They are a human instrument of war which will outlast any machine and will continue to evolve into a national asset. Their tools and skills symbolize the American effort to mitigate international risk and conduct conflict resolution with precision. The equipment they wear or use is the best most modern day technologically advanced tactical gear because it is required. The type of uniform or equipment is irrelevant because the lives they save are a testament to their dedication.Their only limitation is the separation of forces into multiple MAJCOMs.

USAF Capt, Nellis AFB

10/26/2009 11:51:40 AM ET
Just to clarify, AFPD 10-35 states what career fields are identified as Battlefield Airmen. Those career fields are CRO, STO, Pararescue, CCT, TACP, SOWT, and Battlefied Weather. Although I appreciate the jobs they perform, Security Forces and SERE do not fall under the Battlefield Airman program.

MSgt K, Hurlburt Field

10/26/2009 10:55:03 AM ET
To the Air Guard Officer...some of us in the AF work with other services which require us to wear non traditional uniforms. And in reference to the ABU comment, obviously you have not worn it in a field setting where Battlefield Airmen work and train because it is the most ridiculous uniform that has ever been developed. Maybe someone should have thought of that instead of being concerned with blending into filing cabinets and storing their pens in a pocket on every appendage.

BW, GA

10/26/2009 9:27:18 AM ET
Its about time the Air Force understands that there are some of us who are engaged in ground combat, kicking in doors, securing villages and escorting OSI around. We need better gear better training and more backing from leaders. The waste of money astounds me, like creating a new uniform that I cannot leave the FOB wearing because its not flame-retardant, like putting pockets on the chest instead of the arms because I wear body armor most of the time. The Air Force needs to put its ego aside and adopt other things from sister services that work and incorporate them into todays battlefield Airman.

SSgt CATM, North Carolina

10/26/2009 8:08:10 AM ET
8 years ago we began sending Battlefield Airman to AF with Vietnam-era equipment. SMSgt Babcock as well as Yoshida and Heidel, to name a few, have worked tirelessly to fix that and bring all Battlefield Airman into the 21st century. They're not doing that by getting distracted by uniforms and forgetting that some, Chapman and Cunningham come to mind, don't make it home. I'm proud of ya big brother, keep up the good work.

MSgt Babcock, Pentagon

10/25/2009 5:49:25 PM ET
The uniform in the pictures is Multicam. It's camoflauge pattern has been tested and proven in combat to blend in better than both the Army Combat Uniform and the ABU by special operations forces.Even in Army uniform regulations there is no mention of multicam but in SOCOM you use what you need. That is what the Army SF does and AF CCTs TACPs and PJs aligned with those units must not look different.

DE, Fort Carson CO

10/25/2009 7:29:42 AM ET
I hope the rest of the Air Force moves to the use of the Multi-Cam. It is by far more combat effective than the ABU and works in just about any environment that you use it in. All I know is that the rest of the Air Force can stand out but my job is to blend in.

SrA Defender, Missouri

10/24/2009 10:06:16 PM ET
I just love it NOT when staff writers mention the AF STS forces and fail to mention Combat Control CCT especially when the pic is of a Combat Controller. Note the CCT patch on the left shoulder. Great attention to detail.

MSgt, NC

10/24/2009 4:10:41 AM ET
All operational active reserve or guard TACP STOCCT CROPJ SERE and SOWT assets must be aligned under Air Force Special Operations Command. Lack of decisive and innovative action to expand and restructure a Battlefield Airman concept is holding back potential USAF tactical talent on tap for joint ground war roles that we must embrace closer to be even more all in. All Battlefield Airman career fields must be categorically manned funded and expanded as an increasing and dominant factor within a contemporary approach to 21st century USAF and DoD asymmetric warfare doctrine.

H. Brice, Destin FL

10/24/2009 2:21:36 AM ET
If these actually are Air National Guard members I am trying to figure out why they are not in what I know to be a sanctioned Air Force uniform. This is not a good representation of the Air Force Air National Guard. Are they demonstrating a new Air Force uniform? Someone has some explaining to do. With that said, if it is cooler than the ABU I might be open to the idea.

Air Guard Officer, NGB

10/23/2009 8:18:31 PM ET
Great new uniform Looks like the Airmen in the field have chosen what really works for them. Please pass it on to the rest of the USAF

MSgt LR, Hawaii

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