Air Force, Navy Conduct Range Operations
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS070322-03
Release Date: 3/22/2007 3:57:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Daisy Abonza, Fleet Public Affairs Center, Pacific
SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Navy and Air Force squadrons conducted the first combined live gunnery and missile delivery simulations at the Southern California Offshore Range on March 9.
Navy personnel from Helicopter Maritime Strike Wing Weapons School, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41, Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light (HSL) 47 “Saberhawks,” and Air Force’s 358th Fighter Squadron worked together to make the scenarios seem more realistic.
“It’s a tremendous opportunity to work with the Air Force," said Cmdr. Daniel E. Boyles, HSL-47 commanding officer. "It helps us hone our fighting skills. These missions expanded our capabilities in the maritime air control role and help us perfect our tactual proficiency.”
“We did this six months ago with dry ammunition to assess our tactics, and have been coming out every six months for the past two years,” said Air Force Lt. Col. Darren Hansen, commander of the 358th fighter squadron from Tucson, Ariz. “Normally we bring 12 aircraft, but this was a test bed for when we come back for further training.”
According to Hansen, the Air Force uses the A-10 to support ground troops in close proximity to enemy forces. The A-10 is a simple, effective and survivable twin-engine jet aircraft that can be used against all ground targets, including tanks and other armored vehicles.
“Working with the Air Force was a really good training opportunity. The air support helped us build our war-fighting skills,” said Lt. Cmdr. Chris Malone, air operations officer for HSL-47. “This is one of the Air Forces top five priorities and we are always willing to support them with our role in coordinated operations.”
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
