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U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to U.S. Air Force Col. Karen Slocum, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) commander, at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jack Barnett, 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) chief, left, asks a question to U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command command senior enlisted leader, at Space Delta ‘s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker opened the floor up for a Q &A portion after his brief to 9 COS members. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, sits with members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) and other USSPACECOM attendees during a 9 COS mission brief at the Combined Force Space Component Command headquarters on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, briefs members of the 9th Combat Operations Squadron (9 COS) at Space Delta 1’s auditorium on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. Stalker gave a mission brief of USSPACECOM and how the 9 COS plays a vital role in space operations. The 9 COS is an Air Force Reserve Command space operations unit and is the Reserve Associate unit to Space Delta 5, which augments intelligence, planning and operations at the Combined Space Operations Center. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, left, listens to a 148th Space Operations Squadron mission brief from U.S. Air Force Maj. Ruben Carrillo, 148 SOPS director of operations, at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, middle, and other USSPACECOM members look at a timeline of newsworthy events pertaining to the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, second from right, and gets an overview of the MILSATCOM mission the 148th Space Operations Squadron (148 SOPS) provides to the warfighter at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)
U.S. Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Scott H. Stalker, U.S. Space Command (USPACECOM) command senior enlisted leader, gives a USSPACECOM mission brief to 148th Space Operations Squadron members at the Vandenberg Tracking Station on Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif., May 6, 2023. The 148 SOPS is an Air National Guard satellite control unit which operates the Air Force’s MILSATCOM systems providing the warfighter with communication capabilities. In time of emergency, by order of the Governor of California, the 148 SOPS can also provide military support to civil authorities to the California Joint Force Headquarters Operations Center (Command and Control) and Joint Incident Site Communications Capability for cyberspace. (U.S. Space Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Luke Kitterman)

Red Tails conduct joint air integration exercise

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Kelly Goonan
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

The 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing conducted a joint air integration exercise alongside partner nation Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia, July 6. 
 
During this training exercise, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army and partner nation combat controllers coordinated with F-15E Strike Eagles assigned to the 332nd AEW and conducted Close Air Support 9-Lines with target correlation resulting in live-ordnance deliveries in a dynamic environment on an air-to-ground bombing range. 
 
“Integration exercises like these build mission-essential proficiencies when working with our coalition partners,” said Col. David Och, 332nd AEW Intelligence, Operations, and Plans director. 
 
The F-15E is a dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions with an array of avionics and electronics. The Strike Eagle has been deployed for military operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, and Libya, among others. During these operations, the Strike Eagle has carried out air strikes against high-value targets and combat air patrols, and provided close air support for coalition troops. 

“These fighter aircraft regularly work with partner nation ground controllers around the Middle East making our ability to conduct regular exercises critical to joint training,” Och said. 
 
A JTAC is a qualified military service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations. U.S. Air Force JTACs evolved from “forward air controllers” whose guidance in combat operations tipped the scales in battles from World War II through Vietnam. Their job is to keep track of all aircraft available in the area they are sent into while supporting any ground maneuver force to which they are attached. 
 
“This training provided a unique opportunity to rehearse tactics and procedures that are universally employed across coalition forces,” Och explained. 
 
The 332nd AEW has a wide array of combat Air Force capabilities including precision strike, aerial refueling, combat search and rescue, and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. The wing’s warfighters, which generate, execute and sustain combat airpower in support of U.S. Air Forces Central and U.S. Central Command to commanders, seize combat initiative by, with, and through mission partners – building on the Red Tails’ legacy of excellence.