Joint exercise held at Creech

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 432d Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AFB, Nev. --  More than 100 Soldiers and members of the Republic of Singapore Air Force participated in an exercise with the 11th Reconnaissance Squadron here April 19 through May 2. 

Working with the 11 RS, Peace Vanguard, an AH-64 Apache Helicopter unit, comprised of Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers from the U.S. Army Flight Training Detachment, based out of Marana, Ariz., and RSAF Airmen spent time receiving Close Air Support training. 

"The 11 RS is ideal for us to train with because it is a school house," said Army Capt. Randy Cochran, who is a trainer for the U.S. Army Flight Training Detachment. "They're able to train their guys while we're training our guys. It's a win-win situation." 

Major Dave May, 11 RS assistant director of operations, said the opportunity to train with the Army and the RSAF was extremely beneficial to the MQ-1B Predator students attending the Formal Training unit here. 

"Our students are able to get real time feedback, which sinks in a lot better than simulating scenarios," Major May said. 

Major May also said that during the exercise, the units were able to practice buddy lasing, which is a tactic that provides laser targeting for weapon system on other platforms. 

"Lasing for the other units is a hands-on benefit that's extremely beneficial for our students," Major May said. 

Captain Cochran said this type of integration with the Predator training unit helped the Peace Vanguard unit sharpen their skills when it comes to CAS operations. 

"When it comes to target identification and Close Air Support, you have to make sure you're hitting the right target," Captain Cochran said. "Integrating with the CAS SMEs (Subject Matter Experts) at the 11 RS and the Predators helped us to know we were hitting the right targets."