U.S. and Latvian JTACs, JFOs train in Latvia

Photo By Lt. Col. Charles Calio | Joint Fires Observers from 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade and their Latvian Joint Terminal Attack Controllers conducted a combined training exercise DATE at Lielvarde Airbase, Latvia. The training is taking place in conjunction with JTACs from the U.S. Air Force and Michigan Army National Guard's unmanned aerial surveillance assets from the 37th Inf. Bde. Combat Team, and is part of a larger unscheduled land force exercise in the Baltic nations and Poland to demonstrate NATO resolve.  

LIELVARDE AIR BASE, AIZKRAUKLES APRINKIS, LATVIA

05.22.2014

Story by Capt. Charles Calio 

Michigan National Guard

LIELVARDE AIR BASE, Latvia - Latvian and U.S. Joint Terminal Attack Controllers and Joint Fires Observers integrated to perform air-to-ground communication exercises here Thursday.

In support of the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade’s ongoing mission in the Baltic States, Air Force Staff Sgt. Eric Fil, a JTAC with the 2nd Air Support Operations Squadron in Vilseck, Germany aligned with the 173rd, has been tasked with overseeing JTAC and JFO training in Latvia. Training objectives include mastering proficiency in providing pinpoint airstrikes to mitigate fratricide and optimize air power capabilities.

“The Latvian Army deploys exactly as we do,” said Fil. “With similar strategic architecture we have the ability to integrate together with aerial training that’s consistent across the board.”

In cooperation with the Unmanned Aerial Surveillance Platoon, Company B, Special Troops Battalion, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Michigan Army National Guard, Fil has utilized the RQ-7 Shadow UAS aircraft to play the role of a fixed wing fighter in the air-to-ground training. Using the RQ-7 has provided the JTACs and JFOs with better training because of the improved realism of the training scenarios.

Fil has also implemented the use of the Soldier Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Receiver Tactical ROVER which provides the JTACs with video from the RQ-7 patrolling the skies. The SIR provides JTACs, who are responsible for directing airstrikes, the ability to have an eye in the sky before calling in an air strike.

“Utilizing the RQ-7 UAS and the ROVER together is a great opportunity for our troops to engage in realistic air-to-ground communication,” said Sgt. Linards Ivanos, a Latvian JTAC with the Combat Support Battalion, Tactical Control Party. “The Capabilities are tremendous.”

The integrated training of JTACs and JFOs in Latvia demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the U.S. to its NATO and collective defense responsibilities through increased land, air and sea force presence, by conducting additional military exercises, and enhancing security cooperation with its allies and partners in the Baltic and expanded region.

“It’s been a pleasure working under Staff Sgt. Fil and alongside our Latvian counterparts,” said Pfc. Mark Bender, a JFO with the 173rd Airborne Brigade. “The leadership has been able to take training to a different level.”

The 173rd Airborne Brigade, based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting forces to conduct the full of range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Commands areas of responsibility.

(Story by Spec. Seth A. LaCount, 126th Press Camp Headquarters, Michigan Army National Guard)

• Date Taken: 05.22.2014
• Date Posted: 05.23.2014 06:13
• Story ID: 130910
• Location: LIELVARDE AIR BASE, AIZKRAUKLES APRINKIS, LV