Misawa Airmen build winning deployment team

  • Published
  • By Capt. Teresa Sullivan
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  Airmen in the 14th Fighter Squadron are preparing to meet the challenges of their air expeditionary force deployment this winter and they are "fired up" to contribute to the war on terrorism.

The 14th FS will deploy F-16 Fighting Falcons, pilots and support people to Operation Iraqi Freedom where they will be ready to put their combat war fighting skills to the test.

"These guys are fired up to deploy," said Capt. Benjamin Bartlett, 14th FS pilot and deployment project officer. "Right now we've got a list of guys ready to go and some on a waiting list. It's almost like a depth chart where we can pick number one and two off the bench if we need to. The squadron is chomping at the bit to go make their contribution and put the knowledge and training they've gained over the last five, seven, 10 years to the test."

The 14th FS pilots and support crew not only will be putting their skills to the test, but they will be incorporating new targeting pods into their war fighting operations.

The precision targeting systems significantly increase the combat effectiveness during day, night and under-the-weather conditions to attack ground targets with an array of weapons.

"We have new targeting pods on our jets, and it is a complex piece of machinery," said Lt. Col. Charles Toplikar, 14th FS commander. "We've got to get everyone comfortable with the new pods."

The 14th FS will be conducting close-air-support operations while deployed, which is a different skill set than their typical suppression of enemy air defense, or SEAD, mission.

"Right now we're shifting our focus from the SEAD mission to CAS and a lot of these guys have not been downrange, especially the young guys," said Captain Bartlett. "They want to test their skills and get in the game. Everyone's looking forward to it."

To help effectively conduct CAS missions, they will use the advanced targeting pods.

"We've been preparing since July and right now we're undergoing a robust spin-up training plan for the flying portion," said Colonel Toplikar. "Our deployed mission will be over and above what we normally do."

In addition to preparing for their flying mission, they are also taking care of ancillary training which includes self-aid and buddy care, combat survival training and weapons firing.

The support staff is busy working behind the scenes to keep the fighter squadron running like a well-oiled machine, according to Tech. Sgt. Duane Plott, 14th FS operations resource management NCO in charge.

"Since I'm the senior ranking enlisted troop in the squadron, I'm the 'T-shirt' of the squadron, or the voice of the enlisted corps," he said. "We're spending a lot of time talking about our mission downrange, about what we'll be doing, what equipment we'll need, lessons learned from previous squadrons assigned there and how to be prepared."

Part of being prepared is being fit-to-fight,something the Airmen take seriously.

"We push hard for a fit-to-fight mentality here," said Colonel Toplikar. "Since I've been in command, we've incorporated multiple (physical training) sessions into the schedule and have trained additional (physical training leaders)."

The Airmen understand and take full advantage of the fitness initiative, according to Captain Bartlett.

"Pilots are brought up since pilot training that you have to be in shape to fly the F-16 and we know we've got a big job ahead of us. It's almost like peer pressure for us, making sure you're in the gym and seeing who's in the gym," he said.

"We know our lives are at stake and after a four- or five-hour mission we might have to pull five or six 'G's and on the fifth hour it's important to be in shape."

The enlisted Airmen are doing a great job at staying in shape too, he said.

"We have PT three times a week. It's our standard," said Sergeant Plott. "We're all friends so we work out together at the gym. We know that going downrange requires you to be in shape. Right now we've got a contest going to see who can get in the best shape. We lift weights at 4:30 a.m. every day because we want to be extra fit and leaner and stronger."

Equally as important as fitness is taking care of those remaining at Misawa. Families are a key factor in proper preparation, Colonel Toplikar said.

"We've been involving families in my commander's calls," he said. "This way I can present information on what the base can provide for them while we're gone, from the Red Cross to The Airman Family and Readiness Center, legal, everything. We have to make sure our families are taken care of."

For the squadron, Colonel Toplikar's wife serves as the focal point for the spouses, along with two readiness assistance volunteers who provide the official continuity for family issues at Misawa while the squadron is deployed.

Having the spouse's morale taken care of on the home front makes the jobs of the 14th FS warfighters easier. The morale is high according to Captain Bartlett and Sergeant Plott.

Until their deployment, the 14th FS Airmen will continue to prepare for the challenges ahead as the Army ground troop's "eyes in the sky."

"Our goal is to support the commander's intent," said Captain Bartlett. "We're going to be there to protect the Army ground troops by conducting close-air-support missions. We'll be their eyes in the sky. Our goals are to be as sharp as we possibly can during each sortie. If we get the chance to drop a bomb or shoot a gun we want to be right on target every time as soon as (the Soldier) needs it because his life may depend on it."