1st ASOG, I-CORPS Detachment partner to improve interoperability

  • Published
  • By Spc. Jason Mayes
  • I-CORPS Air and Missile Defense Detachment
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  History was made here recently when the Army's I-CORPS Air and Missile Defense Detachment moved into 5th Air Support Operations Squadron facilities following their return from Operation Iraqi Freedom. Soldiers and Airmen will now work side-by-side at home station, strengthening the joint teamwork that will be critical in combat.

This is the first time a Corps-level air and missile defense detachment has been fully integrated with an air support operations squadron in garrison. The merger is the outgrowth of the units' numerous joint accomplishments while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and will build upon the close relationships forged during the year-long combat deployment.

"It was critical that we joined forces to better train and prepare our deploying tactical air control parties and brigade combat teams, leveraging the experience these Soldiers and Airmen gained while working together in Iraq," said Col. Rob Evans, the I-CORPS Air Liaison Officer and 1st Air Support Operations Group commander. "This merger only made sense and was the right thing to do."

Members of the 1st ASOG and I-CORPS Air Missile Defense Detachment worked together at Camp Victory, Iraq, achieving the first single integrated air picture for Iraq in six years. This SIAP was critical to improving close air support allocation and air space deconfliction, which gave Air Force JTACs high and low level situational awareness of the battlefield.

Brig. Gen. Heidi Brown, I-CORPS Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment and CORPS Senior Air Defense Officer, visited the 1st ASOG and the 5th ASOS and was thrilled with the joint integration and team work.

"I am excited about the unlimited potential and possibilities that this joint teaming will bring to the theater," said General Brown. "The day-to-day integration now taking place at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be a model for other Air Force units and CORPS AMDs across the country and overseas to mirror."

Colonel Evans gave a detailed mission brief and explained some of the complexities and challenges that this new arrangement will help address. For example, the Army datalink systems will provide new opportunities for the group's JTACs to train in digitally-aided close air support techniques.

Air Force Lt. Col. Bruce Beyerly, the 5th ASOS commander, proudly showed General Brown the state of the art training and support facility and emphasized how the newly integrated team will bring great capabilities not only to the Army and Air Force but for sister services as well.

The 1st ASOG already trains routinely with Navy and Marine aircraft and controllers and the capabilities provided by this new joint team will enable the next level of training, linking digital systems from each of the services.

"Integrated training like this, in the highly complex digital battlespace, is crucial for success in joint warfare." said Colonel Evans.