Defence

Air Force

First in JTAC accreditation

Bringing air and land power together is at the heart of FACDU's role. SQNLDR Davidson, CO FACDU (kneeling) and SGT Dawson of JTAC troop work with School of Infantry soldiers to conduct CAS training.
Photo provided by RAAF Official Photography

By Sanu Kainikara

Recently the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) once again won kudos for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) by becoming the first foreign air force to receive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM).

The Joint Committee Close Air Support Executive Steering Committee unanimously approved the accreditation in mid May 2006. This was the culmination of a long process during which the RAAF took the initiative to shape the circumstances that allowed the accreditation in the first place.

That the USJFCOM JTAC Standardisation Team recommended the accreditation of the RAAF Forward Air Controller Development Unit (FACDU) speaks volumes about the skill and training of the force.

The Standardisation Team reviewed a full Terminal Attack Control (TAC) course conducted by FACDU during the period 2–27 March 2006.

The review was a rigorous process involving a comprehensive examination of the program of instruction, lessons plans, courseware, reference materials and practical exercises. The practical exercises were both simulated and live.

The TAC course is an intensive module that combines academics, simulation and live events in a judicial manner to provide the maximum benefit to the participants.

The academic part of the course is oriented towards providing ample opportunity to the students to reinforce knowledge objectives in a classroom environment.

The simulation aspect of the course is conducted by the incorporation of videos and map boards in the instructions and by using the PC-9 and Hawk aircraft procedural trainers.

A recent addition that further enhances instructional clarity is an Indirect Fire Forward Air Control Trainer system that simulates different scenarios.

Live exercises are conducted in two phases, starting with 'dummy' sorties being flown and live-fire training being conducted as the next step.

FACDU PC9(A)F aircraft in various configurations over the Williamtown training areas. These aircraft are used for JTAC–CAS training and currency. They differ from standard PC9s in several ways, including external stores carriage, communications equipment and undercarriage.
Photo by CPL Rob Mitchell

Course members are progressed from simple to complex scenario in the first phase, using medium and low altitude Close Air Support (CAS) techniques in varying threat environments.

The complexity of the mission is also varied, and multiple targets are assigned to provide realistic training.

Live-fire training in the second phase includes all kinds of attacks and ammunition that could be used in CAS missions.

The course also conducts dry training for CAS in urban areas.

The ability to carry out CAS procedures in a fully functioning town allows the students to experience the difficulties of conducting CAS missions among the civilian population and the increased probability of unacceptable collateral damage.

The curriculum of the course is developed in such a way that the students are able to start controlling live aircraft from the very beginning, starting with propeller-driven PC-9 FAC aircraft and progressing to jet fighters.

This is done after the students have been familiarised with the fighter aircraft (Hawk and F/A-18 in this case) with the objective of making them understand the pilot's perspective during CAS missions.

The training organisation is such that the instructor cadre carries out daily pre-briefs and debriefs to ensure that the training objectives are well understood.

This modus operandi also ensures that the focus on learning objectives is not defused, resulting in increased standardisation of instruction.

A one-on-one instruction wherein each student has a specific instructor to oversee training activities is considered best practice the world over.

FACDU employs this method effectively, greatly increasing the student progression throughout the course.

The accreditation, unanimously granted, is a major step forward for the armed forces of Australia and the United States towards addressing CAS interoperability and standardisation issues.

It is also indicative of the dedication of the instructors and staff of FACDU and demonstrates the commitment of the ADF to become interoperable with our coalition partners at all levels.

The unit is to be congratulated on this landmark achievement.

The conduct of warfare has undergone radical changes since the end of the Cold War, the changes gathering pace and being most apparent in the last decade.

The way in which military forces are employed now is radically different from the way in which forces were employed even a few years ago.

It is more than apparent that the ADF will be employed as part of a coalition in almost all deployments in the future.

Under these circumstances the need to have seamless interoperability with coalition partners assumes paramount importance.

The JTAC Accreditation is a concrete step in achieving this goal.

Dr Sanu Kainikara is the Strategic Engagement Adviser—Air Force.

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