Air search radar gives U.S., Australia eyes to the sky

Photo By Cpl. Matt Myers | A U.S. Marine Corps TPS-59 air search radar monitors airspace July 14 at the Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia, during the bilateral U.S.-Australian training exercise Talisman Sabre 2015. The radar can scan up to a radius of 300 nautical miles and track all aircraft operating in the training area including drones and missiles. The radar’s primary purpose during the exercise is to help prevent aircraft collisions by ensuring aircraft are following flight plans filed prior to taking off for a mission. The radar is monitored by a joint bilateral team of U.S. and Australians 24 hours a day, every day of the exercise. (U.S Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Osvaldo L. Ortega III/Released)  

BRADSHAW TRAINING AREA , NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA

07.14.2015

Story by Cpl. Matt Myers 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

BRADSHAW FIELD TRAINING AREA, NORTHERN TERRITORY, Australia – On the top of a mountain deep in the wilderness of the Australian Outback a team of Australian Defence Force airmen and U.S. service members monitor the sky for both friendly and enemy aircraft. This team is tasked with scanning air space of more than 200 miles – ensuring friendly forces operate their aircraft safely without enemy aircraft-air space violations.

This team is participating in the bilateral training exercise Talisman Sabre 2015. A U.S.-led, Australian-supported field training exercise from July8 to 18 at the Bradshaw Field Training Area, Northern Territory, Australia. The exercise is a U.S. Pacific Command-sponsored exercise that trains PACOM forces in high-end, mid-intensity warfighting scenarios.

Throughout the training exercise, both nations will use multiple types of aircraft to move troops and equipment, perform reconnaissance and destroy targets in a regimental air assault. The Marines deployed a TPS-59 air search radar to support these air operations.

“As the command and control agency here, the first thing we’re going to be able to provide, primarily, is an air picture of the Bradshaw airspace,” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Jonathan D. Johnson, an air defense control officer with Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. “We can take all of the aircraft that are going to be operating within that airspace, have a classified picture of all the aircraft in that area and then we can forward that picture to the Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 18 who can take that information and disseminate it out into the tactical field as needed.”

The array of aircraft PACOM forces used during the exercise include MV-22B Ospreys, UH-1Y Hueys, CH-53E Super Stallions, B-52 bombers and UH-A1W Cobra Attack helicopters.

“Our role here is critical,” said Johnson, from Downingtown, Pennsylvania.” We provide those aircraft safety of flight, flight following and positive transfer of command between other command and control agencies.”

This TPS-59 air search radar is the only one of its kind being used in Australia during the exercise. The joint U.S.-Australian team monitors this airspace and relays data and commands to the pilots. This ensures they follow the correct flight plan and in addition to preventing aircraft collisions. Without this radar system, friendly forces operating in the 3,359 square mile air space could face communication errors resulting in a greater risk of mishaps.

“This system has the capabilities to track everything out here,” said Australian Defence Force Flight Lt. Shaun O’Leary from Melbourne, Australia, the officer in charge of 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit, Australian Air Force, and the Australian liaison officer working with the U.S. Marines. “This radar tracks all air-breathing targets including helicopters, aircraft, missiles and drones within 300 nautical miles.”

The bilateral U.S.-Australian team monitoring and controlling the radar system work hand in hand 24 hours a day. Their mission is to ensure no aircraft in the sky is flying without proper guidance.

“Working with the Australians and with the Marines has been very educational and rewarding,” said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Stephanie L. Leal from Fort Knox, Kentucky, a surveillance officer assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 4 during the exercise. “It’s been interesting to see how the Australians do things. I think we’ve learned some new things and the Australians have learned some new things, so it’s always great when we get the opportunity to come together and enhance our knowledge base.”

• Date Taken: 07.14.2015
• Date Posted: 07.17.2015 03:22
• Story ID: 170301
• Location: BRADSHAW TRAINING AREA , NORTHERN TERRITORY, AU
• Hometown: MELBOURNE, VICTORIA, AU
• Hometown: DOWNINGTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KENTUCKY, US