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RAMSTEIN, Germany - JOINT Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from the US Air Force and the Italian Army conducted an exercise with RAF Typhoons operating out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania, May 20. 

Two RAF Typhoons from 121 Expeditionary Air Wing, based out of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, near Constanta in Romania, carried out a Close Air Support training mission with NATO JTAC teams from the US Air Force and the Italian Army.

Working with personnel from other nations gives me more of a worldwide perspective and helps build relations for future events

Technical Sergeant Sean Palmer, a JTAC from the US Air Force, who led the exercise said: “Working with live aircraft allows me to experience being a part of the Close Air Support team. While simulators can be fantastic training, no one can replicate a pilot flying better than an actual pilot. Working with personnel from other nations gives me more of a worldwide perspective and helps build relations for future events. It also allows me to see the differences in techniques that other nations use, helping to improve our combined work flow during training and missions.”

JTACs are qualified military personnel who direct the action of combat aircraft engaged in Close Air Support and other offensive air operations from a forward position. It is their responsibility to speak direct to the pilots in the cockpit and to guide them to their targets on the ground.

Technical Sergeant Sean Palmer, a US JTAC Operator, communicates with his team during an exercise on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romaina. The exercise improved Allied interoperability between operators and close air support. Photo courtesy of Royal Air Force. 

NATO JTAC Operators work together during an exercise  on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base, Romania. The exercise improved Allied interoperability between operators and close air support. Photo courtesy of Royal Air Force

NATO JTAC Operators work together during an exercise on Mihail Kogalniceanu Air base, Romania. He exercise improved Allied interoperability between operators and close air support. Photo courtesy of Royal Air Force.