Train as we fight; Close Air Support SMEs integrated into Predator training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alice Moore
  • 432d Wing Public Affairs
CREECH AFB, Nev. (ACCNS) --  As a highly requested air asset in theater, the Predator provides critical Close Air Support while working with a Joint Terminal Attack Controller in order to protect troops on the ground. 

The 11th Reconnaissance Squadron is the Formal Training Unit that conducts all Predator aircrew initial qualification training as well as instructor upgrade training. The unit teaches more than 500 students a year through five different courses, which are the basic course, landing and recovery course, senior officer course, foreign officer course and the instructor course. The Predator FTU at Creech teaches all Predator aircrew skills that are fundamental to success in combat and certifies each crew as mission ready. 

One important aspect of Predator Initial Qualification Training is students receiving live JTAC training. In order to enhance their training capabilities, Air Combat Command recently hired contracted Close Air Support Subject Matter Experts. 

"The use of live JTACs is critical to the effective training of MQ-1 and MQ-9 crews, because our ops tempo requires that these crews be tasked to fly combat missions shortly after completing IQT," said Maj. Matt Martin, Air Combat command chief of Armed Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance and Operations Branch. "Rather than wait for combat to work with a live JTAC, we require live training on the range to properly prepare our crews for their real-world mission. " 

Major Martin said that the rapid expansion of the MQ-1B Predator and MQ-9 Reaper initial qualification training to meet warfighter requirements brought about the inability to schedule active-duty JTAC support. The 432d Wing identified this issue as a critical training gap and addressed the issue with Air Combat Command. The solution was to fund contracted CAS SMEs with JTAC backgrounds to help supplement the 11th RS training requirements. 

Major Martin also said the CAS SMEs are designed to accomplish two goals, which are to provide simulated, but still live, JTAC support for the daily IQT sorties at Creech, and facilitate the use of more active-duty JTACs on those sorties to help them meet their training requirements. 

"The contractor has met both goals, and in the past month they've been able to support 67 percent of all the IQT sorties at Creech requiring CAS training and also facilitate the currency training of two JTAC squadrons by conducting all the scheduling, range transportation, and equipment functions so that those JTACs are able to simply show up and conduct their missions," said Major Martin. 

The contracted CAS SMEs have at one point or another possessed active-duty JTAC qualifications, said Charlie Keebaugh, CAS SME who is also a former active duty Air Force JTAC. 

"We're here to help provide the students realistic training to better prepare them for flying combat missions," said Mr. Keebaugh. 

Prior to the hiring of the contracted CAS SMEs, Instructor Pilots within the Predator FTU had to simulate the role of the JTAC for training purposes when active-duty JTACs were not available, said Lt. Col. Lawrence Spinetta, 11th RS commander. 

"Previously, what we did was simulate it (JTAC training). We had the IP talk through different scenarios, we had them pick various things out there on the range, and we wouldn't see real live people," Colonel Spinetta said. "Now we have real live people on the student's infrared ball with live people walking around as they pretend they're insurgents. The first time our students see small arms fire isn't when they actually go over to a combat squadron, they see it in training and I think that's absolutely invaluable."
In order to make the JTAC training for the Predator FTU as realistic as possible, the CAS SMEs simulate JTAC support using actual joint tactics, techniques and procedures used by JTACs to provide maximum realism for the students. 

"The CAS SMEs move around on the range to simulate friendly and enemy troops as well as non-combatants, and use flares and smoke grenades to simulate weapons effects," Major Martin said. 

However, Major Martin also said it's important to note that the CAS SMEs are not acting as actual JTACs. The CAS SMEs do not exercise terminal control and there are no live weapons drops. The flight instructor also acts as pilot-in-command to ensure proper coordination with air traffic control elements for deconfliction from other aircraft.
Colonel Spinetta said the CAS SMEs definitely improve training realism. 

"We try everything at the 11th RS to make it transparent with combat operations," he said. "All of our displays, scenarios, and training are designed to mimic what trainees will see when they graduate. There is no continuation training in a combat squadron. On day one, they fly combat and are expected to perform. Training with CAS SMEs at the 11th RS is critical for improving realism." 

Instructors agree that the CAS SME training better prepares students for combat missions, said Maj. Robert Forino, 11th RS assistant director of operations and IP. 

"Without a doubt, there's no way it (CAS SME training) couldn't better prepare the students here," said Major Forino. "With just one mission with these guys, they (students) are going to better know what it's like when they begin flying combat missions."