JTACs show off new capability during digital demo

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Chad Thompson
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) --  Joint terminal attack controllers with the 607th Air Support Operations Group here recently showed off new digital capabilities during a demonstration with members of the South Korea air force.

The demonstration showcased advanced equipment the controllers use when transmitting digit data to aircraft in the field rather than transmitting everything via radio.

Tech Sgt. Jason Tonkinson, assigned to the 607th ASOG, said the new equipment makes their teams lighter, faster and able to travel further distances when they are on long-field missions, and he said the less equipment they have to carry, the better.

Staff Sgt. Michael Hickey, assigned to the 607th ASOG, said nearly 35 pounds of gear has been replaced by a small, wearable computer and the hand-held Rover 5, which makes their equipment more "practical" for the field.

"Here, with the terrain, and where we're fighting in Afghanistan, it allows us to carry lighter equipment, move further and do the dismounted job in the mountains," he said. This allows the controllers to travel further with an added stealth and subtlety they haven't had in the past.

Sergeant Tonkinson said the added stealth is nice, but stressed that the new digital equipment also allows the teams to transmit more data in less time with greater accuracy.

"It allows us to transmit large amounts of data rapidly to the cockpit, where the pilots get visual representations of our targets," Sergeant Hickey said.

The amount of data in turn helps reduce the chance of accidents or being hit by friendly fire, he said.

Relaying the information once with digital equipment, rather than multiple times with radios, cuts down on human error, which ensures everything is transmitted correctly the first time, he explained.

This could also be a vital feature for when controllers are on the move and have to send real-time updates during a possible hostile encounter, Sergeant Hickey said.

"The aircraft have a visual representation of the ground situation and targeting data before they ever get into the target area and the data allows the aircrews to spend more time planning for the specific (close-air support) mission," he said.

Highlighting these new capabilities and equipment to alliance members was another part of this demonstration.

Sergeant Hickey said the benefit to South Korea airmen getting this upgrade wouldn't only standardize their capabilities across the JTAC career field, but it would also eliminate the language barrier.

"We will be able to send that information digitally, and it will go right into the aircraft systems," he said. "Our JTACs would be able to talk to their aircraft, and our aircraft could talk with their JTACs."

Sharing this capability with alliance forces would allow the joint mission here to reach new heights, he said.

Sergeant Tonkinson said his unit members have had this new equipment for about three weeks, and they are really excited to start training more with the smaller, more portable field gear.