823rd BDS provides ground forces in exercise ATLANTIC STRIKE

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Nicholas Benroth
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
AVON PARK, Fla. --  As joint terminal attack controllers call down air strikes on an enemy village, members of the 823rd Base Defense Squadron from Moody Air Force base prepare to provide ground defense against opposing forces, clearing buildings and marking targets for the JTACs.

This was the scene as the 823rd BDS participates in joint exercise ATLANTIC STRIKE 11-01. ATLANTIC STRIKE is an exercise designed to provide a real world joint training environment for the JTACs.

"This is a perfect opportunity for our people to experience a new way of combat," said 2nd Lt. Shane Watts, 823rd BDS flight commander. "Normally we would just do a regular assault but now we have another tool to- utilize close air support through the JTACs."

The 823rd BDS was chosen to participate in ATLANTIC STRIKE to provide support for the JTACs and they jumped on the chance to experience this critical joint training.

"This is the first time anyone in the group has had the chance to work with TACP members including myself," said Lieutenant Watts "This will give us a huge advantage in the field because we are used to going in by ourself but now we have the training to utilize, and work well with these guys."

This training also gave the JTACs the chance to train with actual ground forces instead of just simulating their movements.
The simulation started off with the members loading up into the truck and Humvees and moving down the road keeping an eye out for any opposing forces in the area.

Depending on the scenario, sometimes the trucks would get hit by an improvised explosive device, disabling it and forcing the members to continue on foot into the village.

The team set up a spot for the ground commander and JTACs to set up and get eyes on the village. After this was accomplished, the members began their assault on the village.

As they moved into the village, the opposing forces commander who had a view on the whole village called in his guys to begin their counterattack.

Because of the way the village was set up and the knowledge the enemy had the 823rd BDS was forced to use the JTAC's assistance which was the whole intent of the exercise to get them outside of their comfort zone and use something they have never needed.

"It's great the these guys could come out here to support us it takes the training that much further," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Callaway, 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing JTAC instructor. "If there is any ground commander that I would want to work with, it's now Lieutenant Watts because he has training that some commanders don't have."

A guest that attended the exercise was Maj. Gen. Stephen Hoog, 9th Air Force commander, who had the chance to witness the 823rd BDS and JTACs in action.

"With the 823rd BDS participating in this exercise, it gives everyone participating in this, even the fighter pilots, the chance to receive some training," said General Hoog. "I understand this is not the base defense squadron's core mission to use JTACs to call in air support but it will only make them more effective in combat."