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Army and Navy Work Together Aboard Ike in Support of Ground Troops

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS070104-07
Release Date: 1/4/2007 5:22:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew D. Leistikow, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/ Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- The branches of the U.S. military continue to work together to refine coordination between the services. When Army Col. Glenn Harp, commander of the 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment (BCD), Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) Dec. 31, he not only got to observe flight operations and the strike group concept from sea, he also had a chance to see the effect two of his Soldiers were having on air operations.

Army Maj. Dan Collins and Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Elias from the 4th BCD, are assigned to the Combined Air and Space Operations Center in Al Udeid, Qatar. They began their tour Aug. 29 as ground liaison officers (GLOs) with the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). They later joined the crew aboard Ike when the ship entered the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility Oct. 30 to relieve Enterprise.

The experience and knowledge GLOs have offer pilots insight on how to better support troops on the ground, whether they’re flying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. The troops on the ground send Ike information on how they’ll move, and the pilots adjust accordingly.

“They make sure that the pilots have more situational awareness before they take off,” said Harp, who oversees the Army liaison officers. “The better situational awareness a pilot has, the better success of integration and synchronization of the ground power with the air power.”

“I think having the GLOs has been a huge advantage,” said Lt. j. g. David Ortiz, a member of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, the “Jolly Rogers.” “We’re having to fight this war on all fronts. Having these guys come aboard helps us work together better.

“It provides a good insight into how coalition forces should work together, especially U.S. forces,” added Ortiz. “It’s not a one force fight.”

The GLOs also coordinate Ike’s efforts with about 30 other coalition countries.

“We’re kind of out there talking to the whole force,” said Elias.

Harp feels that each service brings a different capability, and Ike’s ability to move around and help a mission where it’s needed is a valuable asset.

“It [our mission] would not be as successful as it has been lately without Ike in theater,” said Harp.

The GLOs provide feedback from the ground on mission results. Along with these progress reports, Collins and Eilas have a chance to share the troops’ appreciation for what the Ike strike group does.

“The response is so strong that if it was up to them, the carrier would stay for support,” said Collins. “Several times now, we’ve heard that the pilots on this air wing have been the angels on their shoulders.”

For every ounce of appreciation the GLOs pass on to the Sailors, Ike pilots return the same amount of respect.

“We get both sides,” said Collins. “The ground troops tell us they love what they [pilots] did, and they turn around and tell the ground guys, ‘whatever you need, we’ll get it for you.’”

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 is currently providing close air support, shows of force and reconnaissance missions in support of troops on the ground participating in Operation Enduring Freedom.

CVW-7 includes the “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, the “Jolly Rogers” of VFA 103, the “Wildcats” of VFA 131, the “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA 143, the “Rampagers” of VFA 83, the “Patriots” of Electronic Attack (VAQ) Squadron 140, the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron (HS) 5, and the “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40.

Ike is the flagship for the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, which includes its embarked air wing, CVW 7, and embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28; guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68); guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61); guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87); and the fast attack submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Ike CSG departed Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 3 for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of maritime security operations and entered the Commander, 5th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 30.