GOWEN FIELD, Idaho - German armed forces joint terminal attack controllers visited Idaho for the second time this year to train with their counterparts from the 124th Fighter Wing, Air Support Operations Squadron, Idaho Air National Guard, Aug. 24-29.
The 124th ASOS invited the German JTACs to return for their quarterly unit training assembly, continuing to build on a relationship that has been growing for eight years.
“Inviting the German armed forces to Idaho allows us to continue to develop strong NATO relationships,” said Col. Chad Kornberg, 124th Fighter Wing commander. “Being able to have our Airmen working directly with them here in Idaho provides an opportunity to introduce them to how we conduct training.”
The 124th ASOS Tactical Air Control Party members validated standard operating procedures encompassing five warfighter pillars: communications, mobility, tactical combat casualty care, shooting and fitness.
Idaho’s TACP members are qualified to operate in joint training and combat environments while maximizing safety, efficiency and lethality with partner forces around the globe. Sharing the training with the German JTACs allows them to work together if deployed and enhances readiness.
“In the great power competition, we are going to be working with our NATO allies in future events and environments,” said Capt. Luke Nelson, assistant operations officer for the 124th ASOS. “We work with them downrange. Them coming and participating in our training is really an opportunity for us to do joint training in a non-combat environment.”
Early in the week, the TACPs and JTACs practiced water confidence training at Lucky Peak State Park. During this training, participants used energy-efficient swimming techniques while learning to trust their equipment in an open-water environment.
During the field training portion, JTACs were fully integrated into the two flights within the 124th ASOS and executed missions, acting as joint forces when deployed.
“I think this just helps build that relationship and understanding of the different ways that we do business and the different ways that they do business,” said Nelson. “If we learn things from them, if they learn things from us, I think it’s a really great opportunity to integrate with these other partner nations and make ourselves better, and learn from them when we all come to the table.”
Participants conducted shooting and marksmanship at Saylor Creek Range, operating in challenging terrain while maintaining long-haul communications.
At the Orchard Combat Training Center, TACPs and JTACs responded to a simulated medical event, stabilized the patients, and called for transport by Idaho Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk pilots and crew from the 1-183rd Aviation Battalion.
“I’m really impressed by how professional everyone is,” said a German training in Idaho. “Everyone seems to be on good footing with each other. Everybody seems really to enjoy working out here in the field.”
The German unit has come to Idaho annually since 2016 for close air support training with the 124th ASOS and 190th Fighter Squadron. Last year, more than 100 Airmen from Idaho participated in Air Defender 2023 in Germany, the largest NATO air exercise ever held.
“Our Airmen are proven warfighters,” said Kornberg, “and supporting our German NATO allies allows us to hone our tactics and our ability to mutually support a near-peer conflict.”