FAIRBANKS, Alaska - For seven members from the Louisiana Air Guard's 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron, 159th Fighter Wing, Red Flag Alaska was an intense exercise that tests the type of skills that keep friendly forces and civilians safe during military air and land operations.
The 12-hour days that were filled with mentally taxing and physically exhausting missions gave the adrenaline loving Airmen a chance to show their merit at the joint and coalition forces combat training exercises at Eielson Air Force Base in Fairbanks, Alaska in June.
As a member of the Tactical Air Control Party or TACP, the Airmen worked hand in hand with more than 400 U.S. military assets and Italian, Japanese and South Korean coalition forces during the exercise.
"Many believe the job is appealing, because it is both very mentally and physically challenging," said Capt. Corey Johnson, the unit's air liaison officer. "As a member of a TACP, you constantly test your limits."
Johnson said whether it's sharpening your skills in tactical shooting, road marching for 12-miles, jumping out of airplanes or practicing controlling airstrikes on an enemy who is actively trying to kill you, the training will push you to constantly learn.
Specialized team members are called Joint Terminal Attack Controllers or JTACs and are highly trained multi-dimensional warriors who are the actual experts in employing close air support through detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of friendly forces.
In the past, Red Flag Alaska was predominantly an air-to-air training exercise. The use of close air support in both Iraq and Afghanistan has increased the need for training in this specialized field because any slip-up can be deadly.
"Had we not been able to attend, we would have missed out on valuable training; with the job we have, we need all the training we can get," said Master Sgt. Paul Schulz, from Harvey, La., a JTAC from the 122 ASOS. "The moment we get complacent or over-confident will be the moment that disaster strikes."
It is the job of the JTAC to gather the location of the ground and air assets, as well as enemy positions, and make a plan that coordinates fire power to attack the enemy.
"It's truly an awesome opportunity for us to practice our trade," said Schulz. "Not only do we get to work with the Army and all of their assets, we were also able to integrate the international aircraft as well."
This year's exercise incorporated more close air support training than ever before, and was the second time the 122 ASOS was able to attend.
"It was an outstanding training opportunity to work with coalition partners and different U.S. services to improve our proficiency in controlling close air support missions," said Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Kleid from Flower Mound, Texas. Kleid is the director of operations for the 122 ASOS and was the detachment commander for Red Flag Alaska.
Schooling for the prestigious TACP career field requires four months of training on communications systems, aircraft capabilities, firepower capabilities and infantry tactics. After 12 months on the job, Airmen nominated by their supervisor and certified by the squadron commander are allowed to attend the four-week JTAC qualification course at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.
A TACP learns how to combine the Air Force Theater Air Control System and the Army Air Ground System to bring effective and responsive firepower against the enemy - anywhere on the battlefield, at any time of the day, under any condition.
Red Flag Alaska was a necessary qualification exercise for Senior Airmen Erik Brumfield of Hammond, La., before completing his final evaluation on a journey that has taken more than three years to complete.
"The journey from being a JTAC's apprentice, to JTAC has been a difficult one," Brumfield said. "It has tested me, on many occasions, to my mental and physical limits. Red Flag Alaska provided a rare opportunity to improve skills many JTACs don't get to practice outside of combat.
"Becoming a JTAC is what every TACP aspires to do," he continued. "Completing that journey has given me an awesome sense of accomplishment, and has also taught me that it is not the end of the road, just another leg of the journey."