Air Force JTAC's support every aspect of combat missions

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Richard Williams
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE ORGUN-E, Afghanistan (AFNS) --  Joint terminal attack controllers assigned to the 817th Expeditionary Air Support Operations Squadron were called into action when their unit came under attack during joint operations near the Afghanistan and Pakistan border May 12 through 15.

The mission was a near-border operation to remove any potential enemy threats from a named area of interest, said Senior Airman Daniel Garner, an 817th EASOS JTAC.

On May 12, Airman Garner and Airman 1st Class Corey Hughes, an 817th EASOS tactical air control party radio operator, maintainer and driver, entered their forward operating location as enlisted air liaisons for ground forces. They established an observation point that would give them a clear view of the area and allow them to observe any enemy positions.

"When we control (air) assets in a close-air support role, it is getting their eyes on the friendly positions first so they know where the friendly's are and if there are any enemy positions out there I want to pass that on to them as well," Airman Garner said.

By relaying that type of information to aircraft overhead, enemy forces can potentially be neutralized and the potential for any civilian casualties can be reduced, he said.

While on patrol May 13 with Soldiers from A Company, 1st Battalion 187th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Rakkasan, the unit was attacked by enemy mortar, heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, Airman Garner said.

"We came under fire, and Airman Hughes got on the joint air request and called in for close-air support," Airman Garner said. "While we were taking fire, we were also returning fire."

"It was pretty wild," Airman Hughes said. "Honestly, my adrenaline was pretty high when we were getting shot at, but then my training kicked in and I got the sat (communication) set up and got on the radio to get us some air support."

After Airman Hughes coordinated for the inbound aircraft, he began returning fire at enemy positions and assisting Airman Garner in directing the air traffic above the battlefield and assisting anyone who needed it.

As Airman Garner began to receive radio transmissions from two inbound F-15E Strike Eagles, Airman Hughes attended to Soldiers who had been wounded. Airman Hughes also provided covering fire for Airman Garner and Army Staff Sgt. Richard Healey, a forward observer with the 1-187th.

With mortars landing very close to their position, Airman Garner maintained contact with aircraft, and Airman Hughes began moving the wounded to a casualty collection point where he coordinated an aerial medical evacuation.

Airman Garner directed aircraft to fly over the battle space in a show of force. He then coordinated with Sergeant Healey, who was in contact with an artillery unit and preparing to fire at enemy mortar locations.

"While Airman Hughes was calling in to get CAS, Sergeant Healey was helping me get grid map locations," Airman Garner said. "He was also giving me updates on artillery firing directions so I could redirect air assets out of the area."

Sergeant Healey, a trained combat life saver, began applying bandages and assisting Airman Hughes with the injured Soldiers, Airman Garner said.

"Some of the wounded were near my (satellite communication) station," Airman Hughes said. "I went back and forth to try to check on them and give them water and help them out the best they could."

Once medical evacuation was en route, the casualties needed to be moved to the landing zone, Airman Hughes said.

"Everyone started laying down cover fire, and I looked at one of the injured Soldiers and said, 'This is going to hurt,' and he looked at me and said, 'All right,' so I picked him up and fireman-carried him to the helicopter," he said.

Airman Hughes said that as he placed the wounded Soldier in the helicopter, the Soldier looked at him and said, "I will never forget this man; I will never forget this."

"Luckily none of us got hit trying to get them out," Airman Hughes said.

"When the MEDEVAC helicopters arrived, I helped load some of the wounded and pulled security so no one else would become a casualty," Airman Hughes said.

The troops in contact situation lasted maybe 30 minutes, but it felt like hours, Airman Hughes said.

"Honestly, when you are getting shot at it seems like time is going by really slow," he said.

Once the casualties were safely evacuated and the fire had ceased, Airmen Garner and Hughes continued on the mission, neutralizing three additional areas of interest and two objective areas.

The training the JTACs and radio operators, maintainers and drivers go through prepares them well for dealing with these types of kinetic situations. Almost all JTACs are assigned to Army units, so they are familiar with procedures for artillery and MEDEVAC, Airman Garner said.

"Working with the JTACs has its challenges. I have to ensure they clear the air space before I give the 'go ahead' for any artillery," Sergeant Healey said.

Another important aspect is both services being able to share battle space information to ensure whatever munitions or aircraft they are calling in does not have a negative effect, Sergeant Healey said.

Following a mission, Airman Garner said he always looks at ways he could have done things a little bit better to improve for the next mission.

"It is a total team effort when we get out there," Airman Garner said. "Not just with your JTAC team, but with your Army counterparts as well. We all did what we were supposed to do."

Airman Garner, who was the senior JTAC on the mission, lauded Airman Hughes' actions saying, "He did what he was supposed to do. He did an excellent job getting people to the MEDEVAC site, and that day I think he showed his true colors."

Reflecting on the day's events, Airman Hughes said he felt things went the way they were supposed to go.

"Airman Garner and I did our job very fluidly, and the Army did their job neutralizing the enemy," he said.

"They (the Army) are always joking with us about the Air Force, but they appreciate what we do," Airman Hughes said.

"It feels good that the Air Force can bring something to the fight on the ground and in the air," he said.