Posted on Sep 27, 2015
What have you seen some units do in order to maintain proficiency outside of the MOA mandated evaluations?
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I would like to start some kinda monthly training refinement for myself and other unit JFO's and would like some ideas. What is the Likely hood of being able to do anything outside of just SIMs and being able to partner with the local ASOS and doing a sort of gunnery type ordeal dropping live ordinance?
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Joint Fires Observer
Joint Fires Observer
Posted >1 y ago
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Often times, just getting in with your ASOS/CAB will help tremendously. JTACs often have live operations they can include JFOs in not only for their certifications, but to help with their skills as well. The best thing I can also recommend is invite and include your JTACs in your training as schedules permit. We get our team in on our airborne operations for their currencies as well as include them with indirect fires. The more the ASOS feels apart of your operation, the more likely you are to get fun trips with them.
On the subject of CCA, getting out to the air field and talking with the pilots is one of the best ways to build the relation with them and begin to integrate into their training. Once they work with you a bit, they will start to include you on many of their gunnery trips and will be itching for you to come and train with them. We sent about 15 FiSTers to Fort AP Hill last week to help with AH-64 gunnery tables; they included them in training, chow, even hooked up transpo with a CH-47 to get them to Fort AP Hill and back. Sometimes, we've been on an OP training or out on a DZ and the pilots (primarily Kiowas) have landed close by. They walked over and asked us for 5 Lines and freqs. We spent the next 4 hours doing CCA training with multiple Kiowas (word got out, they checked in and off). Sometimes all it takes is a spare VS-17 panel with a freq taped on it for them to get in on training.
On the subject of CCA, getting out to the air field and talking with the pilots is one of the best ways to build the relation with them and begin to integrate into their training. Once they work with you a bit, they will start to include you on many of their gunnery trips and will be itching for you to come and train with them. We sent about 15 FiSTers to Fort AP Hill last week to help with AH-64 gunnery tables; they included them in training, chow, even hooked up transpo with a CH-47 to get them to Fort AP Hill and back. Sometimes, we've been on an OP training or out on a DZ and the pilots (primarily Kiowas) have landed close by. They walked over and asked us for 5 Lines and freqs. We spent the next 4 hours doing CCA training with multiple Kiowas (word got out, they checked in and off). Sometimes all it takes is a spare VS-17 panel with a freq taped on it for them to get in on training.
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Get with your local Chief JTAC-I and talk about getting your JFOs on CAS trips. JTACs also have to meet requirements to include JFOs in CAS Briefs per the JTAC MOA. If neither of your units will fund trips, try working with joint funds through the Joint Staff it only requires a AAR in writing.
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
I went on a couple CAS trips a few years ago. Best training and best way to forge a relationship with your battalion JTAC.
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SSG (Join to see)
Thank you both for the comments I will do my best to apply these once I come back from NTC. I will keep this discussion update to what I have done so that others can view the results and develop training if their own.
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Take them to the highest building in the area. Live talk ins over the net. It's more realistic than the million dollar view the guard fist offers.
Get with the Apache units on post and establish some contacts. I know at Campbell they are always looking to get some training in with the fisters. Otherwise they are just flying around logging hours. They may even incorporate your fist in their live training and quals.
These are just a few things I did as an FSNCO. They didn't require a whole lot of resources. Just some planning and coordination.
Get with the Apache units on post and establish some contacts. I know at Campbell they are always looking to get some training in with the fisters. Otherwise they are just flying around logging hours. They may even incorporate your fist in their live training and quals.
These are just a few things I did as an FSNCO. They didn't require a whole lot of resources. Just some planning and coordination.
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