Photo By Lauren OConnor | Maj. Andrew Huddleston, 4th Air Support Operations Squadron air mobility liaison...... read more read more
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Observing the weather, he picks up his radio to announce the conditions at the training site, "Update from the drop zone. The winds are calm; skies are clear."
This information is critical to the aircrews preparing to fly over, because it could affect their safety and ability to effectively accomplish the mission. The information also determines whether the Army will receive their supplies at the right location on time.
"Communication is one of the biggest things we do," said Maj. Jack Talkington, 4th Air Support Operations Group air mobility liaison officer. "Plans can change constantly in this dynamic environment. You really have to be able to think and act on the fly to make decisions."
Talkington is one of two U.S. Air Force AMLOs integrated with U.S. Army Europe during Saber Junction 18 to provide assistance with air mobility during the exercise. Air Mobility Liaison Officers are pilots and navigators who are assigned to units from other branches to help coordinate airlift and airdrop support provided by the U.S. Air Force.
During the early stages of planning SJ18, Talkington provided assistance in the development of operational plans.
"I went to two of the planning conferences to connect the Air Force and Army components to ensure we could meet the tactical plan," said Talkington. "Now I am taking part in a 173rd Airborne Brigade combat team operation to evaluate their readiness and capability through airdrops and forward movement."
Although AMLOs may need to be able to work in landing zone environments, Talkington's main focus was the drop zone during SJ18 where the AMLOs ensured the air mobility component was a success.
"On day one we had the day drop come in and drop four heavy equipment platforms, some container delivery systems, and 500 personnel," said Talkington. "It was a pretty high percentage of the jumpers who made it out on the first mission."
With the success, Talkington went on to explain that the mission couldn't have been accomplished without everyone's input.
"There were some timeline issues we worked through, but all-in-all everybody leaned forward to make the mission happen in a safe manner."
While being integrated with the Army during Saber Junction 18, the AMLOs have gained a new perspective on what they have do as aircrew.
"I'm usually in the cockpit seeing the drop zones from above and talking to the ground control parties on the radio," said Maj. Andrew Huddleston, 4th Air Support Operations Squadron AMLO. "It's nice, being on the ground and getting to see the guys who are actually receiving what we drop, and how thankful they are."
| Date Taken: | 09.20.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 09.22.2018 05:50 |
| Story ID: | 294045 |
| Location: | HOHENFELS, DE |
| Web Views: | 432 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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