RAMSTEIN, Germany- Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) from Allied nations in the Baltics, Central Europe, and the Balkans have been practicing Air-Land Integration in support of NATO-led Neptune Strike.
Routine training involving Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines builds critical relationships that ensure joint operations can be executed rapidly whenever and wherever needed.
JTACs from eleven NATO nations training in Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, and the Republic of North Macedonia have been conducting live training serials with aircraft flying from the USS Harry S Truman. F/A-18s from Carrier Air Wing One supported currency training with the JTACs using both simulated and inert ordinance within training ranges.
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F-18 Hornet archive Photo by: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Darien J. Bjorndal
JTACs are specially trained in Air-Land Integration and communicate directly with aircrew via radio and digital means to control close air support sorties. Archive Photo courtesy: Italian Armed Forces
JTACs are specially trained in Air-Land Integration and communicate directly with aircrew via radio and digital means to control close air support sorties. The integration between naval, air, and land forces bolsters Alliance multi-domain operations to ensure that each domain can work seamlessly together.
"Routine training involving Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines builds critical relationships that ensure joint operations can be executed rapidly whenever and wherever needed." said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Laatsch, Section Chief Close Air Support Capabilities, Allied Air Command. "This activity demonstrates the cross-domain interoperability among Allied nations and Partners with naval air assets supporting Land forces. This training was highly beneficial for both aircrew and JTACs to refine their skill sets while demonstrating NATO's interoperability."
During Neptune Strike 22, Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO has integrated the high-end maritime strike capabilities of a US Carrier Strike Group into the constant vigilance activities that provide security and regional stability. JTACs are an important link between ground units and supporting air assets, enabling Close Air Support missions to support joint objectives.