A taste of Air Power

by 2nd Lt. Christopher Sullivan
2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs

11/22/2013 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- A decorated combat veteran who has commanded troops in two theaters gained a new perspective on the battlefield this week from the cockpit of a B-52H Stratofortress.

Army Brig. Gen. William B. Hickman, Commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, La., flew from Barksdale Nov. 14 in support of an ongoing Green Flag training mission at Fort Polk.

Hickman visited Barksdale at the invitation of Col. Andrew Gebara, 2nd Bomb Wing commander, and departed on a B-52H Stratofortress to engage in a close air support training mission in coordination with ground forces at Fort Polk.

Since the dawn of mechanized flight, the specific capabilities of air power and its role in the fight have been a difficult hurdle for leaders to incorporate into strategy. Hickman's experience provided the general a hands-on view of air power in action and its role in today's fight.

"Activities like this are important for the long-term development of our force," said Gebara. "Today's brigadier general is tomorrow's lieutenant general, and these experiences will help determine the choices they make in the future."

Although this flight was his first trip in the bomber, it is not the general's first time working with Barksdale. Hickman and the JFTC have enjoyed a mutually beneficial relationship with the installation, its Airmen, and the Air Combat Command owned 548th Combat Training Squadron, located here for several years.

"There is a close partnership between JFTC and Barksdale," said Hickman. "They provide routine support for our exercises and are so committed with ground controllers and aircraft. We would not [have a partnership] without Barksdale."

This partnership highlights the interoperability between the land and air forces needed for today's missions. From strategic airlift to close air support, the Army and Air Force depend on each other to get the mission accomplished.

"If a unit gets in trouble, they start looking for the power of America, and that comes in many forms," said Hickman. "In the end, you're looking for an Air Force asset over the top of your head that can look down and find the enemy for you."

Hickman sees the Army and Air Force's relationship only becoming more involved in the future. The Army will be fighting in smaller formations than in the past, and America's forces will become more reliant on the joint concept.

"In the future, we face a hybrid threat, from small elements causing problems to near peer competitors," said Hickman. "We are not going to be successful without the Air Force getting us to the field and providing the close air support needed to accomplish the mission and keep our soldiers safe."