Air Force Tactical Force to Force Exercise

Air Force Military Training 4 Aviation Tactical Force- to- Force Exercise Military operations entails an interaction of multiple forces, hence sequencing their interaction during training is essential in promoting inter-service cooperation (Col Gopaul, 2017). Efficiency in training is determined by how well the training mirrors the battlefield. The sequencing of the battlefield is configured engaging in multi-service training exercises referred to as force- to- force exercise. Force- to- force exercise training is a form of training that entails training with simulation equipment to realism to training as the training.

Tactical force-to-force exercises essentially entail simulation and configuration of battlefield complexities to support basic training of pilots, mission commanders, and operators. The operation entails the interaction of technologies and forces with different operation experience (Kishore, 2017). The simulated exercises ensure warfighting competencies and swift execution and successful spectrum of operations as well as interforce relationship building (Col Gopaul, 2017). Force- to- Force simulations enables maximizing defense skills and enables the trainee to easily test their performance and validate techniques as there no objective risk of death of an opponent.

Trainees are able to evaluate their likely performance under duress. It’s an exercise that enables evaluation of combat readiness and effectiveness in combating hostile environment. Simulator spin –up such as force- to- force exercise provides experiences that cultivate the trainees' skills and techniques in situational awareness and tactical execution.

A tactical aviation tactical force-to-force exercise entails a joint exercise by military units including the Joint Communication Support Element, Air Base Wing defenders, the Airlift Wing, Helicopter crews Military Medical Center doctors crew as well as the Amy Airfields and reflects a recreation of a mission complexity. The joint exercises emphasize on air-to-ground, air-to-air, and special operations force training. The simulated exercise would entail a simulated airborne mission involving diverse aircraft from two different installations.

The exercise entails engagement of joint-force personnel undertaking activities such as triaging evacuation of patients loading and offloading that are essential in executing missions. The aircrew practices transporting casualties across landing zones that are geographically separate, while the Pararescue team practices skills on conducting tactical passenger movement and live-aircraft patient transfer of ambulatory casualties, The Ground crew exercises on simultaneous sling loading and retrieving of loads by two different aircraft on a single landing zone ( Sgt. Kristian , 2019).

One such tactical aviation tactical force-to-force exercise is the Southern Strike 19 at the Gulfport’s Combat Readiness Training Center by the US Air force and the US Army Special Forces hosted by the Mississippi Air National Guard. The multi-service exercise entailed high-altitude low-opening jumps, airlifting of trainees, air fueling, cross-country flights to transport and personnel, airdrop coordination. Obstacles such as low-level flying, shorter runways,  and larger variations of cargo were staged to mirror complexities on the battlefield (Linzmeier, 2019).

Tactical training by Air Force Tactical training is a qualification component enlisted for entry to the US Air Force). Upon completion of the Basic Military Training (BMT), candidates shortlisted to enroll to Air Force engage in specialty-specific tactical training which is structured in three levels: indoctrination course, basic skills course and apprentice course (Lytell, et al., 2018). The Air Forces tactical training entails three fields of career which include the Pararescuemen, Combat Controllers and the Special Operations Weathermen.

The training entails multiple levels including the Combat Control Training, Special Tactics Advanced Training, Pararescue Training, Special Ops Weatherman training, and advanced training (Air Base Wing Public Affairs, 2016). Combat Control Training Lytell, et al., (2018) survey identifies that the combat control operators provide intelligence, command, surveillance control and reconnaissance than enable application of both lethal and non-lethal airpower across different military operations. The 35-week training produces the most highly trained personnel in the US military with Federal Aviation Administration air traffic control qualification.

Military (2019) notes that it’s upon the completion of the combat control training that the combat controllers get to wear the scarlet beret. The first week of the training at the entails an Indoctrination course that focuses on CCT history and fundamentals, sports physiology basic exercise and nutrition. The indoctrination course is undertaken at the Air Force Base, Texas and is followed by a 15.5-week combat control and operator course undertaken at Keesler AFB Mississippi. The second course introduces the trainee the core role of combat control.

It covers content on air traffic rules, aircraft recognition and performance, airport traffic control, weather, air navigation aids, radar procedures, communication procedures, and conventional approach control. The third training entails a three-week source covering fundamental parachuting skills. Subsequently, a 2.5-week course trains basic survival techniques in hardship areas. The course entails instructions on procedures principles techniques and equipment that aid in surviving in hostile environments and returning to safety.

The final combat training undertaken at the Combat Control School entails courses on field operations, land navigation, assault zones, small tactic units, fire support, demolitions, and physical training. It’s upon the completion of the final training that the trainees are awarded a CCT flash, scarlet beret, and 3 Skill Level (Military, 2019). Special Tactics Advanced Skills Training (AST) The newly assigned Special Tactics Squadron (STS) undergo a twelve-month training program to enhance their readiness for Air Force missions (Lytell, et al., 2018).

The training is phased out into four profiles: employment, water, ground and full mission profile. The training seeks to test and enhance the STS operators mental and physical endurance. The training entails a five-week course that builds skills on free fall parachuting procedures. The course provides practical instructions on in air and wind tunnel maneuvering focusing on stability, air sense, aerial maneuvers, and parachute opening procedures. A four week AST training instructs the STS operators in combat scuba diving.

The training entails covertly infiltrate denied areas to the depths of 130 feet and seeks to train on maximum underwater mobility under diverse operating conditions. The AST as well as entails an underwater egress training to equip the STS operators on tactical skills, procedures, principles, and techniques of escaping safely from a sinking aircraft. Pararescue Training The training produces tactical personnel tasked with recovery and medical treatment of personnel in combat and humanitarian environments (Lytell, et al., 2018).

Guided by the principle “That Others May Live”, the Para Jumpers (PJ) provides life-saving and emergency services to the military and civilians in combat and humanitarian environments (Military, 2019). The training entails all-encompassing aspects of combat, search, rescue and medical procedures to ensure a high level of tactical capabilities. According to Lytell, et al., (2018), PJs attend an EMT –Paramedics training and specialized Pararescue training.

The training entails a 10-week indoctrination course that entails intensive instructions on physiological training, dive physics, obstacle course, weapons qualifications, rucksack marches, dive tables, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and PJ leadership reaction course. The PJ undertakes combat training courses that cover training on basic parachuting, scuba diving, and egress training and basic survival skills (Lytell, et al., 2018). In addition, the PJ attend a 24-week paramedic course that instructs on emergency medical treatment and management of trauma patients before evacuation.

The PJ as well attend a 20-week Pararescue recovery specialist course that educates on-field tactics, combat tactics, helicopter insertion /extraction, mountaineering, and advanced parachuting (Military, 2019). The PJs are therefore qualified experts in battlefield trauma, Small Unit Tactics, high angle rescue operations, advanced weapons, rescue swimmers, airborne a military free fall, and vehicle craft utilization. Consequently, the PJ rank as highly trained and versatile personnel in the Air Force (Military, 2019) Special Operations Weatherman Training (SOWT) Weather planning is a core variable of mission planning (Lytell, et al., 2018).

The Special Ops weathermen address the component of mission planning tailoring meteorological reports on variables such as terrain, snow, oceans, and rivers support specific missions. Lytell, et al., (2018) notes that a comprehensive SOWT is undertaken in 61 weeks. The training entails a 3-month initial training and six months of advanced training to equip the operators with advanced tactical skills. The initial training entails a three-week basic air force skills training, 3.5-week training on basic survival skills, 1-week water survival skills and a 6. weeks initial unit level training.

The advanced skills training equips the operators with techniques such as employment, navigation and weapons management skills such as advanced communication and small unit tactics that fundamental for successful operations.