Warfighters gather to train for close-air-support operations
A simulated enemy village is engulfed in smoke, signaling a successful airstrike by A-10 Thunderbolt II close-air-support aircraft during Atlantic Strike VI Nov. 6 at the Avon Park Air Ground Training Complex in Avon Park, Fla. Joint terminal attack controllers embedded in Army units direct aircraft to target precise locations during scenarios designed to simulate intense combat engagements. Atlantic Strike training is focused on preparing JTACs and Army joint fires observers for urban close-air-support operations prior to deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Stephenie Wade)