Air Warrior training exercise unveils new role for F-16

Col. Philip Frazee, commander of the Air Ground Operation School at Nellis Air Force Base, moved down the runway in the first-ever F-16 to be used as a forward air controller in a training mission.

The two F-16's behind him were piloted by Capt. Scott Crogg and Cap. Steve Chandler, instructor pilots from the 310th Fighter Squadron from Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix.

The three were headed to the National Training Center at Ft. Irwin near Barstow, Calif., for the Air Warrior I exercise, an air control and ground units training mission. The 310th Fighter Squadron trains other F-16 pilots.

The forward air controller decides who's going to drop a bomb and assists in getting the bombs accurately on target.

Lt. Col. Walter Givhan, commander of the 549th CTS Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, said using the F-16 as a forward air controller is more effective than the A-10's used in the past.

Givhan said the F-16 has more sensors than other planes traditionally used as forward air controllers, which allows for better precision capability night and day.

"We want to find, fix, target, track and destroy anything that moves on the face of the Earth," Givhan said.

Givhan said the F-16 has a laser designator, which the A-10 does not have.

Lt. Chuck Greenwood, the commander of the unit from 310th fighter squadron, said this is the first forward air unit to have a low altitude system with night vision goggles combined with air control precision capabilities.

He said the ability to fly low-altitude with the laser guided bomb and infrared system enhances precision capabilities, allowing bombs to hit the target faster than ever before.

Givhan added that traditional forward air controllers don't usually make an attack, but that the F-16 will.

"The unit carries a laser guided bomb. It's the first forward air controller that can also be a fighter pilot," Givhan said, adding that the phosphorous rocket markers attached to the F-16 to mark targets is a clear sign that it's a forward air controller.

Givhan said the mock combat training mission on the 1,000-square-mile training area is a high-intensity ground battle between Brigade-size forces, fighter units and Theater Air Control System elements from the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.

The two-week training mission, which occurs 10 times throughout the year, involves a "force on force mission" of laser tag, then a live-fire scenario using live ammunition, pop-up target silhouettes and hulks (old Army vehicles) as targets.

The visually simulated weapons fire smoke generators and dust to create friction that adds coordination and communication problems that one would expect on the battlefield.

"This is the most realistic training in the world, combining air and ground training," Givhan said.

Givhan said the purpose is to prepare for war by making the training as real as possible, adding that the air-ground coordinated training mission prepared the troops for Operation Desert Storm.

"Between conflict and wars, we tend to forget the lessons we learned, (about air and ground forces)." Givhan said. "The exercise is to preserve and sustain institutional memory."

A briefing with the pilots takes place at Nellis before the pilots leave.

"As a pilot you really need to know what's going on on the ground or it won't be as effective," Givhan said.

Back at Nellis, the exercise can be monitored and recorded on computers for review.

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