Airmen provide key data link during Cope Tiger

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Angelique Perez
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KORAT, Thailand --  U.S. Air Force ground communications Airmen recently provided tactical data links for Thai, Singapore and U.S. Air Forces participating in Cope Tiger 2009.

It was the most expansive use of deployed tactical data links during a multinational exercise. Data links allow fighter pilots to reliably share a wide range of combat data, in addition to voice, over a secure, jam-resistant communications network.

Cope Tiger is an annual multilateral aerial exercise that places Thai, Singapore and U.S. military aircraft and personnel in a mock battle in order to improve interoperability and gain valuable training. The exercise took place here March 9-20.

During this year's Cope Tiger, a total of 80 joint and multinational aircraft, ranging from U.S. Air Force E-3 Airborne Warning and Control Systems and F-15 Eagles to U.S. Navy E-2 Hawkeyes and Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornets used the data links to communicate with one another. Thai and Singapore aircraft also used U.S. Air Force data links to conduct flying operations during Cope Tiger 09.

"This is a great opportunity to train with combat communications unit and provide the air picture network involving the U.S., Thai and Singapore air forces," said Master Sgt. Mike Frechette, air picture team flight lead from the 56th Air and Space Communications Squadron, Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii.

"The ability to train with them advances our capability to provide the common operating air picture during potential contingencies," the sergeant said.

Together the four teams maintained a constant link for command, control, and intelligence to provide the critical joint interoperability and situational awareness needed for this type of operation.

Preparation for Cope Tiger 09 started well in advance for the ground communications teams. The teams had to obtain frequency authorizations from the Thai government to broadcast on Thai frequencies. The communication systems they used also demanded a large amount of power that required advance coordination with the Thai foreign liaison.
The teams set up the ground radio, satellite, telephone and Internet communications capabilities before the initial rush of personnel arrived and continued to maintain these capabilities throughout the exercise. The ground communications teams also set up 50-foot high line-of-sight and long-range antennas which allowed their ground stations to receive air picture signals from all aircraft in the exercise.

"It is an awesome training opportunity to deploy to a foreign country and train on and operate the Air Operations Center Communications Enhancement Package," said Sergeant Frechette. "This exercise advances the 613th Air and Space Operations Center's ability to project air power anywhere in the area of responsibilty."

The ground communication and data link teams participating in Cope Tiger 09 include Airmen from the 56th ACOMS and the 613th AOC, from Hickam AFB, Hawaii; the 18th Wing from Kadena Air Base, Japan; and the 644th Expeditionary Combat Communications Squadron from Andersen AFB, Guam.