Oklahoma's Military Making An Impact On The Ground, In The Air In Afghanistan

The Army and Air National Guard from Oklahoma are not new to serving together, especially during training or state activations.

However, this is the first time Oklahoma has deployed them together as one team, forming a mighty fighting force in Regional Command-East, Afghanistan.

When the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) received notice they were going to Afghanistan, the 146th Air Support Operation Squadron (ASOS) based in Oklahoma City, Okla., began their training to deploy with them and directly support them throughout their tour to Afghanistan.

The 146th ASOS was established in October 2008, to support the 45th IBCT and the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in California. Nearly 20 Airmen deployed with the 45th IBCT earlier this year.

During their farewell ceremony, Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, Director of the Air National Guard and former adjutant general for Oklahoma, said the 20-person 146th ASOS team may be small in numbers, but they bring the full force and power of the United States Air Force with them.

"It's been a great thing because of the closeness we've established," said Col. Joel Ward, 45th IBCT commander. "We were able to train at home station with the Air Guard so when we came to combat it made us a more effective team."

The majority of the Airmen deployed are Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) and Radio Operator Maintainer and Driver (ROMAD) belonging to a tactical air control party. A ROMAD is basically a JTAC in training and the only difference is the JTAC is the one who gives authority for the aircraft to release ordinance. They are very skilled in communication and have knowledge of the different munitions each aircraft can fire on the enemy.

An air liaison officer also deployed with the 45th IBCT to bridge the gap between the Army and Air Force. He advises commanders on how to incorporate close-air support into the ground scheme of maneuver.

Although the close-air support has the ability to drop multiple types of ordnance, they are typically used as a deterrent. Aircrafts can be called in to fly close over the enemy during a fire fight or to recon an area just out of sight.

"I'd say about 10 percent of our job is saying 'cleared hot'," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Ellis, of Collinsville, Texas, and 146th ASOS JTAC. "I'd rather not drop bombs if I don't have to."

A simple show of force by an aircraft called in by a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) can be enough to break enemy contact. The TACP's are on ground with the Soldiers. They hike through mountains, across valleys and walk many miles during operations.

"What the Army does, I do, whether it is a nine-day mission or a two-day mission... I pack the same, I definitely carry my own load," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Viel, a ROMAD with the 146th ASOS. "I don't get special privileges just because I'm Air Force... if Soldiers are sleeping in the rain, I'm right there next to them."

These specially trained Airmen call in and talk to the aircraft around the battlefield, enabling the aircraft to have eyes on the ground. This also enables Soldiers on the ground to have eyes in the sky with the ability to drop munitions on the enemy.

"When I was here before in Region Command-South, we only dropped about half of what we have dropped here, and I was there nine months," said Ellis who has been on three previous deployments. "With that amount of ordnance, the coordination has to be precise and many factors are taken into consideration."

More than 53,000 pounds of ordnance has been dropped from more than 700 different close-air support missions supporting the 45th IBCT in either base defense or as the unit conducts operations. All of which is called in by a JTAC that was on the ground at the time or close by with a ROMAD or joint fires observer with positive identification on the enemy.

"I don't think the Army Guard really realized what we bring to the battlefield," said Lt. Col. Bruce Hamilton, a native of Coweta and 45th IBCT Air Liaison Officer. "I think they really do now."