A message of relevance

  • Published
  • By Col Bruce Cox
  • 301st Operations Group
Fort Worth, TEXAS --  Over my sixteen years in the 301st Fighter Wing, a continuous wind of change has blown across the Air Force Reserve Command. Principle events that have brought our wing from 'then to now' include the departure of the active duty Air Force from Carswell Air Force Base, surviving two Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) committee actions, and the formalization of the Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment cycle. While all of these elements introduced new challenges to our wing, there was another dramatic, far more important, transformation afoot. A change that redefined the core mission capabilities of the aircraft parked on our very own ramp. 

Through keen vision and perseverance, AFRC leadership began a crusade to increase the combat capability for its' assigned F-16C fleet. The most critical changes included precision targeting via the Litening Targeting Pod (TGP), data-link operations via Situation Air Display Link (SADL), the incorporation of Global Positioning System (GPS), and equipping the aircraft and pilot with night vision goggle (NVG) capabilities. What did these increases in combat capability provide our wing, our command, our nation? In a word ... RELEVANCE! 

Sometime in late February 2008, Lt. Gen. John "Coach" Bradley, AFRC commander, began plans to host two Professional Staff Members from the United States Senate Committee on Appropriations -- Ms. Kate Fitzpatrick and Ms. Katy Hagan. Their duties in Washington are likely amongst the most difficult inside the beltway ... allocate scarce dollars against a myriad of complex defense requests and requirements. Their objective during the visit was simple, experience firsthand how AFRC is spending a portion of the DOD budget on equipment upgrades and combat capability improvements. Focusing on the enhanced combat capabilities of the F-16C+ (formalized nomenclature for the upgraded F-16C fleet), the visit included each staffer receiving an orientation ride, an in-the-aircraft, power-on, NVG demonstration and a detailed F-16C+ capabilities briefing. 

Early on, the decision was made to show off the F-16C+ in an actual mission scenario. As the ongoing Global War on Terror is largely focused on supporting boots on the ground, our wing's most recent combat deployments have been largely focused on supporting Close Air Support (CAS) operations. 

A typical CAS mission involves several dynamic and challenging factors for the pilot. Specifically, the pilot will step to the jet without a clear idea of where to go, who to talk to, and what to do when arriving at the destination ... wherever that may be. Even worse, typical Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) missions are encumbered with incredibly difficult flying environments, including congested airspace, crowded communication airwaves, backside of the clock flying and densely populated urban target sets. 

Striving to provide a realistic and challenging orientation mission, the first piece of the puzzle was to enlist the support of the 9th Air Support Operations Squadron (ASOS). The 9th ASOS, located at Fort Hood, Texas, is an active duty Air Force-staffed organization, whose sole mission is to provide US Army soldiers access to the awesome might of US Air Force airpower. 

Enlisted Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) are equipped with a wide array of radios, maps, and other equipment to facilitate the terminal control of fighter aircraft ordnance employment. The tools and trade of the JTAC are needed to address a chief concern of OIF Ground Force Commanders (GFCC) - incidents of fratricide (friendly fire casualties) as well as unwanted civilian injuries or death (collateral damage). 

To best demonstrate a demanding CAS mission, a dense, urban environment was required. To do this, the 301st FW Airspace Office collaborated with the Federal Aviation Administration to provide temporary airspace directly overhead of the Joint Reserve Base. Due to the proximity of one of the busiest airports in the world, the communication and airspace congestion closely resembled the environment found over Baghdad, Iraq. 

The final piece of the puzzle was to get the equipment in place to support the training scenario. Not an easy task, as the mission called for two Fully Mission Capable (FMC) aircraft, each with two seats and loaded with a functional Litening TGP. At the time this effort was undertaken, the 301st FW had two, two-seat aircraft and two TGPs modified with Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver (ROVER). All assets were required to be full-up and ready. 

ROVER provides the JTAC the ability to see what the pilot sees, via the aircraft transmitting a high bandwidth broadcast of the TGP video. This feed is received by one of the JTACs radios, which is linked to a ruggedized laptop. Video downlink capability aids in positively identifying the target, locating friendly forces, and minimizing collateral damage concerns. All of these outcomes serve to drastically shorten the 'kill chain'. What's the 'kill chain'? Well ... that's CAS in a nutshell ... find, fix, track, target and - if need be - engage. 

Once airborne, the training mission immediately commenced. Upon check-in with the JTAC, the first target set was to locate a small group of people acting in a 'suspicious manner'. This group was observed congregating on the side of the road, suspected of planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) - find. Next, the precise location was determined by the F-16C+. Using the Litening TGP and aircraft GPS capabilities, highly accurate coordinates are derived and passed to the ground forces - fix. 

During the process of the GFCC determining just who and what this suspect group were up to, the potentially hostile group loaded up into a small vehicle and moved out. While remaining above 10,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), out of sight and silent to those on the ground, the group was followed throughout the base, with the video images being instantly relayed to the friendly forces on the ground - track. 

Upon determination that these folks were indeed hostile, the GFCC elected to utilize airpower to influence the ground situation. Weapon selection, fuze settings, and attack restrictions were determined and passed - target. All coordination accomplished, the attack was made. A single GBU-12 scored a direct hit (simulated) upon the vehicle, rendering all inhabitants incapable of further actions against coalition forces - engage. 

Throughout the events and requirements of this 'kill chain', the Tactical Awareness Display (TAD) provided the pilot (via SADL) near complete situational awareness of other aircraft, airspace borders, and known ground threats. While this scenario was a daytime event, everything accomplished is equivalently executable at night. In fact, the TGP dual spectrum electro-optical and infrared sensors coupled with the aircraft / pilot NVG capabilities, a compelling argument can be made that the F-16C+'s most lethal time of day occurs in the middle of the night! 

The technologies resident on the 301st FW F-16C+ aircraft, provide our Airmen tremendous ability to influence almost every ground battle imaginable. This relevant combat capability is what AFRC Airmen bring to the fight! 

It was an honor to show off the 301st to Ms. Katy Hagan and Ms. Kate Fitzpatrick. My thanks to all who made this happen. The outstanding administrative support and public affairs efforts set the tone. The 301st Maintenance Group providing FMC aircraft and the tremendous skill of all in the 457th Fighter Squadron resulted in the demonstration being a complete success. 

301st FW players were, once again, on their A-game! I have no doubt that these two staffers are now back on the hill, replenished with fresh energy, to keep all AFRC Airmen ... for years to come ... RELEVANT.