Air Force officials announce criteria for basing of TACP/ALO training

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RANDOLPH AFB, Texas (AFNS) --  Air Force officials have released the criteria for basing tactical air control party and air liaison officer training.

Recent and current operations have created an increase in demand for TACPs and ALOs to support Army units. The current TACP/ALO schoolhouse at Hurlburt Field, Fla., lacks adequate facilities to produce the required number of TACP Airmen.

The basing criteria, announced May 4, were approved by the secretary and chief of staff of the Air Force and include factors such as mission requirements, training requirements, facilities and infrastructure, support capacity, environmental impacts and cost.

These criteria will be applied to all Air Force and Army installations in the continental U.S.

"The Air Force uses a deliberate, repeatable and transparent process to address our basing needs," said Kathleen Ferguson, the Air Force deputy assistant secretary for installations. "These criteria will help to ensure that all aspects for basing of this important training are considered."

Air Force TACP teams act as the battlefield liaison between ground forces and aircraft overhead. They are generally a two-man team, working in an Army ground unit and directing close air support firepower toward enemy targets on the ground. The ALO is attached to a ground unit and functions as the primary advisor to the ground commander on air operation matters.

The release of the candidate bases for the TACP/ALO schoolhouse is expected in summer 2011. After the release of the candidate bases, the formal environmental impact analysis process will begin, allowing communities around each candidate base to participate and provide input.