Atlantic Strike 10-02 kicks off Sept. 13

Published Sept. 15, 2010
By Airman 1st Class Daniel Phelps
Atlantic Strike 10-02 Public Affairs

AVON PARK, Fla. -- Hundreds of joint and coalition troops came together Monday at a 106,000 acre training complex here for a biannual, exercise designed to hone the tactical employment of air power during close air support missions.

The joint training exercise, named Atlantic Strike 10-02, takes place in Avon Park, Fla., about 100 miles east of Tampa.

"This exercise provides an incredible value for joint and coalition training by establishing trust and a working relationship in the field," said Air Force Maj. Gen. David Goldfein, Air Combat Command director of air and space operations. "Relationships are formed on the field of battle. The kind of trust and confidence in each other that is needed is built through this exercise."

Through this exercise, troops also learn armed overwatch, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, with live full motion video to find, track, target, engage and assess fixed and moving targets, said Marine Maj. Joe Moore, Atlantic Strike operations officer.

Atlantic Strike is divided into four different scenarios or "lanes" to cover the spectrum of what joint terminal attack controllers and joint fires observers go through in combat, explained the major.

"During these scenarios, we'll throw out several different challenges to cause the JTACs and JFOs to think outside the box," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Adam Schwartz, Atlantic Strike training leader.

The north tactical lane is designed with an emphasis on force on force training. The south tactical lane emphasizes live ordnance and close air support. The urban lane takes place in the town of Avon Park, Fla. and is designed for the troops to establish points of origin from mortar attacks and finding high value targets, such as terrorist leaders.

"Through the different lanes, the troops will come against constant attacks by opposing forces and that will place them under constant stress and confusion," explained Air Force Master Sgt. Ken Moon, Atlantic Strike senior training leader.

The convoy lane takes place along a rural road and deals with improvised explosive devices and positively identifying targets.

"This training is as close as one can get to what it's like in combat without real bullets flying at your head," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Tony Hall, 118th ASOS JTAC. "It's very valuable training for the real world."