Posted on 08/15/2005 5:53:15 AM PDT by Jet Jaguar
About 20 airmen from Eielson Air Force Base left Sunday evening, bound for the Iraqi theater and a first-of-its-kind partnership with the Army.
The 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron is assigned to the 354th Operations Group at Eielson but for the last year and a half has been training with the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team from Fort Wainwright. It will be the first time a joint effort with the Army and Air Force has taken place in combat using the Stryker vehicle.
The 3rd ASOS commander, Lt. Col. Russell Smith, said each of the squadron's five Stryker vehicles is assigned an Army driver and gunman with an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party, the specialized team that manages air space above ground troops and guides reconnaissance and surveillance air support. In the past, the TACP's traveled in Humvees manned by airmen.
One of the most important advancements in the Stryker's communication abilities is the advanced technology that erases communication delays between air and ground troops, allowing pilots to get information en route to a target. Commanders say this is especially important in Operation Iraqi Freedom, where enemies, troops and civilians can all be in close range of each other and shift constantly.
The idea of the partnership between the Air Force and Army within the 172nd was included in the vision at the formation of the Stryker Brigade, but was soon abandoned. That is until Smith took over the ASOC squadron in July 2004 and made a convincing case that ASOS units could do their job better in Stryker vehicles.
Now Smith and his airmen must set the bar.
"They're going to be developing tactics as they go and setting the standard for doing this business for years to come," said 354th Operations Group commander Col. Paul T. Johnson. "These guys are so ready."
Likewise, the airmen are confident in their skills and partnership with the soldiers.
"We work really well with our Army counterparts," Senior Airman Jeremy Pennington said.
Pennington and Senior Airman Joseph Aton said they appreciate the mobility, speed, armor and communication capabilities of the Strykers as opposed to Humvees.
"Puts us in the fight a lot more," Aton said.
Aton and Pennington said even the little things, like wearing the same uniforms as solders, can make a difference. The 3rd ASOS were approved to wear the Army uniforms, the first Air Force unit to do so. The Airmen said it helps them blend in with the soldiers, identifying them as part of the brigade.
The airmen leaving Sunday are expected to return in about six months, when they will be replaced by a second rotation of the 3rd ASOS.
As the airmen gathered to board the waiting aircraft, Smith said his farewell to Gen. Marke Gibson, commander of the 354th Fighter Wing. Smith said Gibson was instrumental in providing the 3rd ASOS the most advanced equipment for their mission. Smith was showing Gibson some of the pieces that arrived in the last weeks including advanced rifle scopes and night vision.
"Things that will make us a lot more lethal and survivable," Smith said.
As Gibson left Smith, he shook his hand and pressed a fighter wing coin into Smith's palm, a symbol of good luck, encouragement and a job well done.
"Bring them home safe," Gibson said.
Staff writer Margaret Friedenauer can be reached at 459-7545 or mfriedenauer@newsminer.com .
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