A ground crewman helps Flying Officer Aaron Ward strap in for a mission during pre-flight checks.

Townsville rocked to the sound of F/A-18 Hornets of No 77 Squadron and F-111C aircraft of No 1 Squadron during Exercise Shot Start, an annual Forward Air Controller (FAC) course at the High Range Training Area from May 18-27.

Shot Start provided invaluable experience to about 60 Air Force and Army personnel in working with airborne weapons platforms and operating together in a field environment.

Forward Air Controllers play a vital role in the Australian Defence Force. They represent the Ground Commander's links to aircraft operations and liaise between ground forces and forward ground attack aircraft such as F-111s and F/A-18s. Their role ensures the Air Force is accurately able to place ordnance on target to support ground forces in any combat situation.

No 77 Squadron Commanding Officer Wing Commander Gavin Turnbull said this type of exercise benefited the squadron in that junior officers gained experience operating aircraft away from their home base under different operating procedures.

"Townsville has many good training areas and there are many Army units close by, therefore the majority of people don't have to be moved around," WGCDR Turnbull said. "So we can move a small detachment of aircraft here, give leadership experience to junior aircrew in managing deployed operations and we are close to good training areas. Because of the short transit time involved for all, there is maximum benefit to Air Force and maximum benefit to Army."

Shot Start provided the chance to practice the coordination of Operational Air Support as well as the ability to renew and upgrade FAC categories. The training also allows ACOs to qualify with live ordnance.

RAAF Base Williamtown's FAC Development Unit executive officer, Flight Lieutenant Matt Bowers, said the unit's role was to further the ADF's forward capability by training ground FACs to an operationally deployable standard.

"The aircrews are given invaluable training being able to maintain their high standards in an operational environment," FLTLT Bowers said.

Traditionally, the function of a FAC has been to call in and control air strikes or artillery to ensure the effective engagement of enemy forces on the ground. FACs have had a major presence in many theatres of war, the most notable being Korea and Vietnam.

Major John Snell is the Ground Liaison Officer (GLO) for Headquarters 81 Wing. His role involves precise coordination between all air and ground forces.

During Exercise Shot Start he briefed and debriefed aircrew on mission status and provided feedback to ground force elements, advice on air space restrictions, points in and out of mission areas, interaction with intelligence officers, correct use of codes and frequencies and the location of friendly and non-friendly forces.

"This training provides the ground personnel with a good opportunity to deal with two platforms during the one training session," MAJ Snell said. "The exercise gave the FACs a chance to talk about the latest issues concerning them as well as issues arising out of training in the Townsville field training area."

Sergeant Glenn Nelson from 1 GLO RAAF Base Williamtown was the assistant GLO for Exercise Shot Start. Apart from acting as assistant to the GLO he maintained the administrative side of the exercise, ensuring paperwork on all unit matters was completed in accordance with unit and service directives.

"You never stop learning in this type of environment. It gives us all a broader understanding of how complex aircraft systems operate," SGT Nelson said.

"Working with the squadrons in an unfamiliar environment has rapidly improved my existing skills and has been a constant challenge."

The Deployment Facility was another integral part of the exercise and is collocated with the squadrons whenever they deploy. The facility serves as the aircrew preparation area, intelligence preparation, aircraft and maintenance flight line facilities. There are 25 FAC maintainers (aircraft ground crew) at RAAF Base Townsville supporting aircraft operations.

Flying Officer Aaron Ward, an F/A-18 pilot from No 77 Squadron RAAF Base Williamtown, has been flying Hornets for more than a year. He was inspired to join the Air Force four years ago after seeing Hornets fly overhead while he was on his surfboard at a beach near RAAF Williamtown.

He said the biggest challenge for aircrew was the ability to conduct air operations with Army on the ground.

"The greatest buzz and most rewarding part about this exercise is the stuff that's really hard to do," FLGOFF Ward said.

Exercises such as Shot Start allied with the introduction of new air platforms and the upgrade and deeper maintenance of existing platforms demonstrate that the Air Force is working extra hard to support its operations here and overseas.

By CPL Mark Eaton