June 15, 2010 - NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Atlantic (EWTGL) offers training designed to prepare Marines and Sailors in the joint tactics used for controlling fire support and air power provided to the Amphibious Ready Group, Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) or Joint Task Force Commander.
The training, provided by EWTGL, convenes about six times per year. It is an intensive four-week course that begins with classroom and simulator training at EWTGL and ends with real world, practical instruction at Camp Lejeune, N.C.
The last week of the course at Camp Lejeune is the culmination of the training. Approximately 200 Marines and Sailors are utilized to support the training. Live-fire from air assets, as well as, artillery, guns and mortars are employed. Aircraft, to include F-18s and AH-1 Cobra helicopters, provide support to the training from bases all over the Atlantic coast. Upon successful completion of the course students meet certification requirements as joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs). Their commanding officer's designate them as JTACs.
The classroom and simulator training provides the students the correct terminology to communicate with both US and coalition pilots. This training is put to the test during the last week of training when the students train with live ordnance and aircraft. They are evaluated in situations simulating real world operations similar to what they face while deployed.
The JTAC's learn to communicate using a standard format called a 9-line to request close air support (CAS). Standardization is extremely important when communicating the release of weapons.
"The way pilots speak is totally different from the way ground guys speak," said Staff Sgt. John Finney, a Marine with Second Force Reconnaissance Battalion. The 9-line also provides the pilot the position of friendly forces as well was enemy forces and gives direction to the pilots to avoid other aircraft and obstacles. The 9-line format is used by all NATO forces.
CAS is the use of air platforms to engage nearby enemy forces with guns, rockets or missiles in support of friendly forces. It is a highly complex evolution that involves close communication between ground forces and aircraft to prevent fratricide and to ensure that collateral damage is minimized. It is an effective tactic utilized on the front lines of Afghanistan and Iraq.
"Our goal is to ensure our students understand CAS as a tactic. CAS may not always be the answer when taking enemy fire but we want to ensure our students go into battle with a sound understanding of the fundamentals of CAS," said Gunnery Sgt. Bishop, a JTAC instructor at EWTGL.
Potential JTAC's receive training on the ordinance carried by all air platforms to include the weapon's blast radius and its potential for collateral damage. They are put in realistic scenarios during their training in which they must decide if CAS is the best solution to take out enemy forces. Students must take into consideration the effect of ordinance to surrounding buildings to include hospitals and schools.
"The training is effective for deciding when to restrict fire. It helps us decide the appropriate ordinance to use for a given situation and the timeline in which I need to make a decision. The training has helped us develop overall situational awareness," said Capt. Sean Jones, a Marine Corps CH53D pilot.
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