INTRODUCTION
AVIATION TRAINER'S OBSERVATIONS
 |  |
Greetings from the Eagle Team of the National Training Center -- your aviation trainers. During the execution of our duties as observers/controllers, we have the opportunity to observe the full spectrum of Army aviation operations executed by various types of units from across the Army. The trends and tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) discussed in this newsletter will provide the tools for units to improve Home Station training and enhance overall combat readiness.
The articles in this CALL edition are a compilation of observed trends collected over the past year. The two common denominators of all 12 articles are detailed planning and rehearsals. At the NTC we frequently see execution to standard at the crew and soldier level, which are only enhanced when brigades, battalion task forces, and/or companies/teams conduct thorough planning, including use of sound SOPs and detailed rehearsals, to ensure collective success.
By design, the NTC is a challenging training opportunity. Units operate at a high OPTEMPO under compressed timelines in a tough, realistic training environment. If unit staffs work efficiently, they set the conditions for the executing companies to succeed. The challenge lies in integrating rigor and friction (conditions) at Home Station.
"It wasn't that hard on my last JANUS exercise . . ." Effective air and ground integration is critical; ground elements at the NTC are not just icons on a computer screen. Has the unit coordinated with engineer assets to ensure the air Volcano minefield is correctly planned, triggered, and emplaced to enhance the obstacle plan? Has the unit planned indirect and direct fires to ensure the engagement area can meet the commander's intent? Is the direct fire plan effective, based on clearly delineated planning criteria found in doctrine? Do aircrews know the ground tactical plan and does insertion of any element support that plan?
Beyond conducting aviation operations, is the unit able to survive in the desert? Has the unit planned maintenance support based on the mission at hand and all environmental factors? Can the unit defend itself, and is it integrated with adjacent units for mutual support? Can the unit communicate with aircraft operating away from the assembly area, and are commanders positioned to best command and control their units? Finally, one of the single-most important questions any leader should continuously ask is, "Are we effectively managing risk, so that we can sustain our combat power and bring our soldiers home?"
These are a few of the issues probed in the accompanying articles. We welcome any feedback concerning the information in this Army aviation CALL edition.
We also have a significant amount of training ideas contained on our Eagle Team Web page at http://www.irwin.army.mil/eagle. Good luck with your Home Station training. We hope to work with you and your units soon.
DOUGLAS
R. ELLER
LTC,
AV
Senior
Aviation Trainer
| |
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
