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Joint terminal attack controller

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U.S. Air Force Combat Control JTACs from the 21st Special Tactics Squadron call for close air support from an A-10 Thunderbolt II while attending the Air Force's JTAC Advanced Instructor Course.

Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) is the term used in the United States Armed Forces and some other military forces for a qualified service member who directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. The term that is used in most other countries, as well as previously in the US and in the relevant NATO standard[1] is Forward Air Controller.[2] The term became effective in the US on September 3, 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 3-09.3 Close Air Support.[3]

History

After the Gulf War in 1991, continuing through the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993, there was mounting pressure on air and ground CAS doctrine communities to upgrade TTPs, which had not happened significantly since the Vietnam War. Aviation communities in the four services began questioning the wisdom of sending experienced aviators to liaison tours in infantry units where dated equipment and older doctrine, limited capabilities. Besides dated TTPs, many in aviation communities believed superior technology of modern aircraft with the latest sensors, had outpaced ground equipment and designators. In the Special Operations (SpecOps) Community, there was significant dissatisfaction with TTPs they found constraining to their on-going real-world operations in the Balkans. The final element that probably provided the greatest catalyst for needed changes were tragic training accidents involving attack jet aircraft dropping on top of controllers in Kuwait and killing civilians in an off-base errant bomb accident in Vieques, Puerto Rico.

Also during the late 90s, doctrinal publications - the Marine Corps' 3-21 and the Joint 3-09 CAS publications were being updated to include new technology, types of missions and other advances. These efforts were being led by the Air Department of Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGLant), Norfolk, Va. Within EWTGLant's Air Department was the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) School, led by USMC Major Biagio Colandreo Jr. At the time, Major Colandreo was engaged in updating the entire program of the TACP course, originally designed specifically for Marine aviators to be designated with the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) 7509, FAC, so they could fill Air Officer and FAC positions mostly with infantry units. At the time, however, there was a nearly great demand for the little understood NATO FAC designation by all four services, which was only being provided by EWTGLant and based off of a small publication that had not been updated in years. The attendees to Major Colandreo's revamped TACP course included Marine pilots and some from the ground side, Navy F-14 aircrew, AF SOC, Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, NATO personnel, and Australians. The challenge for the EWTGLant course and Major Colandreo was matching a syllabus designed for experienced Marine pilots to the reality of those requiring training to control CAS missions. This would turn out to be a highly contentious and daunting task.

The Air Force had mostly discontinued sending pilots to Army units and were gradually dedicating fewer and fewer TACAIR sorties required to train their enlisted Combat Air Controllers (CACs) who were part of their Special Tactics Squadrons. The Navy was training their SEALs in Fallon, Nevada, but could not provide a recognized Joint designation. The training accident in Vieques was a major contributor to the closing of Puerto Rico as a base of operations for the Navy and the loss of one of the largest live fire ranges in the east, which significantly impacted training for all services now with fewer places to train. The major positions of the services were to secure safety first, update the clearance and control TTPs that contributed to the accidents, and provide a standardized Joint designation for all four services.

The Marine Corps' primary concern after safety was in protecting their air-ground team. Major Colandreo believed the battle-tested and time-honored practice of providing pilots to ground units was being eroded. In fact, Marine Air Wings floated the idea of sending only one aviator per tour to infantry units and have enlisted non-pilots fill the rest of the positions in the TACP. In May of 1999, Major Colandreo had two articles published in the Marine Corps Gazette, "Are You Reasonably Sure You Know What 'Reasonable Assurance' Is", addressing the dated TTP that he felt had become meaningless and a contributor to recent training accidents, and ""Cleared Hot' on the Tactical Air Control Party", which addressed FAC manning challenges in the Marine Corps. This led to speaking engagements and nearly endless confereces to speak about what it takes to train Joint controllers including sorties, funding and time.

At the same time, Major Colandreo's counterparts at EWTGPac were charged with writing the Marine Corps' FAC syllabus for aviators to provide the 7509 MOS. Even if there had been an approved Program of Instruction (POI) approved by HQMC, it had long since vanished or been overcome by local updates to training. Major Colandreo was literally providing a rubber stamp to NATO FACs so they could control NATO aircraft. The struggle ahead would be epic as the Army did not consider their Apaches as CAS platforms at the time, The Air Force believed technology was eliminating the need for CAS and controllers, the Marine Corps was struggling with pilot manning, and the Navy wanted to name their trained controllers FACs because all of their range publications used the term.

Over the next few years, the struggle led to a climactic meeting at SOCOM in Tampa where three of the four services agreed with Major Colandreo's designator, Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) who would be trained to control air strikes in forward ares to the target. The Marine Corps' position that a FAC was that aviator trained at the EWTGs over three weeks and because that aviator had completed flight school and had at least one Fleet tour completed, could advise on all matters of aviation to infantry units. Major Colandreo asserted that not only would the Marine Corps' never agree to weaken the FAC designation, but that it made little sense to have a one size fits all approach sought by some for expedience and lack of additional training sorties provided by air wings.

Major Colandreo's JTAC was finally agreed to with the commitment that he and his counterparts at EWGTPac would provide the draft syllabus since they were already providing the ad hoc Joint designation. The final syllabus was approved within a couple of years including the major doctrinal control updates called, "Type Controls", which at first four and then scaled down to three types. The timing of what turned out to be a dramatic increase in demand for JTACs after 9-11, was profound. The Joint and NATO requirements for JTACs skyrocketed after 9-11. The JTAC designator and syllabus was the first Joint standard ever for those personnel who would control air-to-ground CAS missions and considered a landmark in inter-service accomplishments.

Australia

An Australian Army JTAC in 2016

In 2006, the Royal Australian Air Force became the first foreign air force to receive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM).[4] No. 4 Squadron RAAF runs JTAC training, and provides trained controllers to other units, with its main role being to support the units of the Special Operations Command. JTAC-qualified personnel have served in Afghanistan.[5][6] The Australian Army's 16th Air Land Regiment also includes a troop of JTACs.[7]

Canada

Canadian JTACs are currently part of the artillery observation battery. They are employed in the regular Canadian Army and as part of Canadian Special Operations Forces Command (CANSOFCOM). The Royal Canadian Air Force TACP personnel can also be employed in the JTAC role provided they successfully complete the JTAC course. There is current discussion on creating JTAC as a stand alone MOS/trade within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). It is currently executed as a secondary duty by mainly artillery NCMS.[8]

Italy

Italy has qualified JTAC operators in its tier 1, 2 and 3 teams. Some of these operators have served in Afghanistan, as part of TF45. During the Afghanistan War, AMX ground attack aircraft from the Italian Air Force TF BLACK CATS conducted Close Air Support with JTAC operators on the ground provided by the Italian Army, the Carabinieri, and the Navy and Air Force.[9] The equipment used by Italian JTAC operators is not well publicized, although the equipment used by 185 RRAO has been briefly reported on.[10] The training areas used by Italian JTACs are also kept secret. It has been reported that Italian JTACs will potentially work with the newest gunship, the MC-27J Praetorian in the future.[11]

United States

USAF TACP JTACs provide over watch and call in air support at Contingency Operating Post Jaghato, Afghanistan, May 1, 2010.

A qualified and current JTAC is recognized across the U.S. Department of Defense as being capable and authorized to perform terminal attack control.[12]

United States Marine Corps students are trained at the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC), and Atlantic (EWTGLANT). United States Air Force students receive their training at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, while United States Navy students are trained at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center (NSAWC) at Naval Air Station Fallon in Nevada by SEALs assigned to NSAWC.[citation needed] The USMC requires that FACs:[13][14]

  • Must be winged Naval Aviators or NFO with at least 2 years operational flying experience.
  • Must have attended and graduated from the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group (EWTG) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) course.

At the completion of the TACP course Aviators are granted the 7502 FAC MOS and are considered certified and qualified JTACs.

Non-aviator FACs in the United States Marine Corps must meet the following requirements:[citation needed]

  • They must be a Noncommissioned Officer or above, and must have a combat arms Military Occupational Specialty with one year of operational experience.
  • Must complete JTAC primer course via MarineNet (distance online training).
  • Must attend and graduate from either EWTGPAC or EWTGLANT TACP School.

When deployed on operations each USMC infantry company is allocated a FAC or JTAC. It is proposed that standard squad leaders will be trained as Joint Fires Observers.[15]

The Air Force trains JTACS at two locations, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada and Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. At Nellis the 6th Combat Training Squadron has two JTAC courses; Joint Terminal Attack Controller Qualification Course, Joint Terminal Attack Controller Instructor Course.[16] The JTAC course at Spangdahlem is through the Joint Firepower Center of Excellence (JFCOE).[17]

Nellis is also home to the graduate-level JTAC Advanced Instructor Course through the U.S. Air Force Weapons School which is open to TACPs/ALOs and Combat Controllers/STOs. The course requires applicants to be qualified JTACs for three years and a JTAC Instructor for one year. The 5.5 month-long course is held twice per year and includes 752 total hours in classrooms and on ranges. The first class graduated in December 2012. They train in conjunction with pilots attending the Weapons School. As of June 24, 2015 29 airmen have graduated from the JTAC Advanced Instructor Course.[18][19][20]

Members of special operations units may attend the Special Operations Terminal Attack Control Course (SOTACC) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona. SOTACC was established 2003 under the Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and was subsequently transferred to the Air Force Special Operations Command's Special Tactics Training Squadron in 2008.[21]

JDAT, formerly JFIIT, provided SMEs for the revision of the NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 3733, the JFIRE Multi-Service Procedures for the Joint Application of Firepower publication, and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) Memorandums of Agreement for DoD and partner nations.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ "NATO STANAG 3797 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS & LASER OPERATORS IN SUPPORT OF FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS". NATO. Archived from the original on August 29, 2009.
  2. ^ "Training the RAF's eyes and ears". BBC. February 14, 2009. Retrieved May 7, 2001. I ask if Prince Harry's deployment as a forward air controller, or what the Americans term a "JTAC" (joint tactical air controller or joint terminal attack controller), has boosted the number of volunteers for the job.
  3. ^ Lieutenant Colonel Steven P. Milliron, Army Aviation. "Army JTAC training--the way ahead". U.S. Field Artillery Association. Effective 3 September 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 3-09.3 Tactics. Techniques and Procedures (TTP) for Close Air Support, the joint community codified the requirements for an individual to direct the actions of combat aircraft engaged in CAS and other air operations. This position, called a "joint terminal attack controller" was created to standardize the certification and qualification process for terminal attack controllers to ensure a common capability across the services. The Army needs to develop Soldiers who, from a forward position, can deliver joint indirect fires and direct the actions of joint combat aircraft. The Joint Combat Aircraft (JCA) is the official designation used by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense for the F-35 Lightning II, formerly known as the Joint Strike Fighter, and the result of the Joint Strike Fighter competition.
  4. ^ Defence Magazine, June 2006 Archived September 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Allard, Tom (March 17, 2008). "New squadron will aim to cut civilian deaths". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved September 19, 2008.
  6. ^ Air Power Development Centre (June 2014). "Combat Control in the RAAF". Pathfinder Issue 224. Royal Australian Air Force.
  7. ^ "16th Air Land Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery". Australian Army. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) - Canadian Forces College" (PDF).
  9. ^ "Task Force 45". Colmoschin.it. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Home - 185 RRAO". 185 RRAO. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "MC-27J Praetorian - Alenia Aermacchi". Aleniaaermacchi.it. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "Full text of "Joint Fire Support Executive Steering Committee Governance and Management, 23 May 2014"". Archive.org. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  13. ^ Maj Brian T Koch (February 2007). "Evolution of ANGLICO". Marine Corps Gazette. Archived from the original on January 12, 2016.
  14. ^ "United States Marine Corps (USMC) Officer Job Descriptions". Forward air controller/air officers direct and control close air support missions and advise commanders of ground units on matters pertaining to air support.
  15. ^ Rupert Pengelley (November 2008). "USMC proposes to train more squad leaders to act as FACs". International Defence Digest: 4.
  16. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 15, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. ^ "First enlisted airmen eligible to wear Weapons School patches". Airforcetimes.com. June 24, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  20. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. ^ "Air Force becomes newest YPG tenant | Military News". Yumasun.com. July 8, 2009. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  22. ^ "Joint FIRES Integration and Interoperability Team" (PDF). The Joint Staff. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Joint terminal attack controllers.
  • Well in control, Australian Army News, September 21, 2006.
  • [1] – Joint Publication 3-09.3 Close Air Support
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