An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : News : Article View
NEWS | May 16, 2023

Texas Air National Guard Trains in Hawaii

By Airman 1st Class Asiah Phillips, 147th Attack Wing Public Affairs (Texas Air National Guard)

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Members of the 147th Air Support Operations Squadron sharpened their ability to operate in jungle-like terrain during a 10-day exercise in Hawaii.

The overall objective of the training was to prepare the 147th Tactical Air Control Party Specialists and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Texas Air National Guard for success in the Pacific Theater.

TACP is one of the two weapons systems supported by the 147th Attack Wing on Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. In the past, they have served as a liaison between the Air Force and Army by supporting air strikes, maximizing fire power on the ground, and collecting data for the combatant commander. Recently, TACP has shifted its focus to be more Air Force-centric.

Lt. Col. Steven Kroll, 147th ASOS commander, and Master Sgt. Justin Tassin, 147th ASOS operations superintendent, chose to train in Honolulu in April due to its ability to mimic the tropical terrain found in Pacific regions. In previous conflicts, TACPs trained in desert-like environments. With the current geopolitical climate, it has become increasingly important to be able to operate in the Pacific.

“For the wing commander, the objective is to be ready to fight at any time. This is how we do it,” said Kroll. “This is testing our ability as a unit to mobilize, deploy and operate in an unfamiliar environment.”

Tassin partnered with Air Force, Marine Corps, Army and Navy squadrons in Hawaii to coordinate the exercises and logistics of the field training.

Most of the ground training was led by survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists from the 15th Operations Support Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam with the 25th ASOS at Wheeler Army Air Field.

“It has been a true joint effort as far as the training aspect,” said Tassin. “It’s a training wonderland for all of the objectives that we can accomplish. You can come here and accomplish a full mission set with the environment and the Marines and Army here.”

The 147th ASOS is focused on succeeding in any theater, regardless of the location. They will continue to sharpen their skills through joint force partnerships to achieve their objectives.

 

 

Related Articles
A Czech emergency services official reviews aerial footage captured by a Texas Air National Guard MQ-9 Reaper during flood relief operations at Čáslav Air Base, Czechia, Sept. 17, 2024. The footage is being used to coordinate response efforts and prioritize areas most affected by the flooding.
Texas Air Guard Supports Flood Response in Czechia
By Airman 1st Class Eduardo Figueroa Varela, | Oct. 2, 2024
ČÁSLAV AIR BASE, Czechia – The 147th Attack Wing has shifted its focus from the NATO-led Ample Strike 2024 exercise to help Czechia respond to one of the most severe weather-related events it has ever experienced. Rising...

A Texas Air National Guard member of the 147th Attack Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron watches as an MQ-9 Reaper prepares to taxi at Scholes International Airport in Galveston, Texas, Jan. 10, 2024. The wing tested satellite launch and recovery operations as part of its approach to the Agile Combat Employment concept.
Texas Air Guard Tests Agile Combat Employment with MQ-9 Reaper
By Sean Cowher, | Jan. 18, 2024
GALVESTON, Texas - The 147th Attack Wing used an MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial system for satellite launch and recovery operations Jan. 10, conducting Agile Combat Employment operations at Scholes International Airport.The...

Members of the 147th Attack Wing Aircraft Maintenance Squadron unload a Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston, Texas, Dec. 21, 2023. The Block 5 Reaper will ensure the wing remains a formidable force in the ever-changing landscape of modern warfare.
Texas Guard’s 147th Attack Wing Receives Latest MQ-9 Reaper
By Sean Cowher, | Dec. 22, 2023
HOUSTON - The 147th Attack Wing recently received the cutting-edge Block 5 MQ-9 Reaper, enhancing its efficiency and underscoring the Air National Guard’s commitment to staying at the forefront of modern warfare.The MQ-9...