Photo By Cpl. Unique B. Roberts | Capt. John M. Yunker, Jr. prepares for flight during Forward Air Controller (Airborne)...... read more read more
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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. - Marines with Marine Attack Squadron 223 continued Forward Air Controller (Airborne) training and qualifications at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point Jan. 15 to enhance the squadron’s capabilities to support possible future operations.
The squadron’s pilots and aircrew, currently assigned to Marine Medium Tilitrotor Squadron 263 (Reinforced), hoped to broaden and enhance their attack support capabilities during a three-month course to give pilots enhanced tools for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions.
Forward Air Controller (Airborne) instructors oversaw the training which consisted of 13 individual simulated events, both in the air and in flight simulators on the ground, said Capt. James W. Pollard, a training officer and AV-8B Harrier pilot with VMA-223.
“The thirteen events include multiple day and night close air support execution with multiple assets, both fixed-wing, rotary-wing and indirect fire,” said Pollard.
VMA-223 pilots enhanced skills needed to direct close air support missions while flying. The training helps pilots build their ability to maintain control of their aircraft while identifying targets and directing other pilots and aircrews in an airspace during combat, said Capt. Travis M. Morris, a Harrier pilot with VMA-223.
The pilots enhanced their capabilities to better support combat operations, said Morris.
“The most challenging thing about going through [the training] is managing multiple assets and safely conducting the mission all while flying a single seat aircraft,” said Morris.
During the training pilots developed strategies and techniques used to engage targets efficiently.
“There are multiple requirements that we’ve got to get done prior to deploying, one of them is to finish a close air support syllabus for our more junior pilots,” said Morris. “With this qualification, I’ll be able to instruct and assist in training those pilots. Also, I’ll be able to help keep the more senior aircrew current and ready to deploy and conduct CAS missions.”
The training helps VMA-223 pilots and aircrew prepare for all possible future operations and deployments, according to Morris.
“Every time we fly a close air support sortie we learn something new and ways to get better at what we do,” said Morris.
| Date Taken: | 01.31.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2014 15:51 |
| Story ID: | 119952 |
| Location: | CHERRY POINT, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 472 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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