Atlantic Strike III hones joint operations skills
By 1st Lt. Tiffany Payette
April 3, 2006
AVON PARK, Fla. (Army News Service, April 3, 2006) – Hundreds of troops from all branches of the military gathered March 27-31 at Avon Park, Fla., to train and prepare joint air and ground troops for future deployments.
Atlantic Strike III allowed more than 250 service members to engage in realistic urban, close-air support training. Aircrews and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers were able to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for maximum effectiveness on future missions in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
“Mission reports from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom allow us to create training scenarios which simulate urban combat operations found in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Maj. Jeff Schollmeyer, director, Atlantic Strike III. “Most of the use of precision engagement occurs in cities and towns in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, stressing the importance of training in urban CAS.”
The scenarios were created to enable aircrews and ground forces to work effectively in a joint environment.
“Today's battles cannot be won with just air or ground forces. Because of this, sister-service participation in this deployment preparation is crucial. Otherwise the realism would not be possible,” said Maj. Schollmeyer.
Multiple units participating in Atlantic Strike III include a 42-man Army Scout Team, a team of Marine JTACs, aircrews from the Navy's P-3 Orion and several Air Force aircrews from around the country.
"With the safety of our troops always in our minds, the participation, dedication and efforts put forth, at Avon Park, by all branches of the armed forces make ASIII the largest and most joint deployment training operation to date," said Maj. Schollmeyer.
(Editor’s note: 1st Lt. Tiffany Payette writes for the U.S. Central Command Air Forces.)
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