09/21/2015: F-16 Fighting Falcons participate in training over Europe with F-22 Raptors and a KC-135 Stratotanker.
The F-22s were deployed from Tyndall AFB, Florida and the F-16s are from Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
The F-22s conducted familiarization training within the European theater as well as training with other U.S. Air Forces in Europe units.
Credit:1st Combat Camera Squadron:9/8/15
09/21/2015: Naval, aviation and ground forces from the United States, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand participated in Exercise Dawn Blitz 2015 off the coast and ashore in Southern California from August 31 to September 9.
Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB15) is a multinational amphibious exercise designed to train the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in operations expected of an amphibious task force while also building U.S. and partner nation operational capabilities and interoperability. DB15 will also test military forces in the planning and execution of amphibious operations in a series of live training events at sea and ashore.
Units from U.S. Third Fleet (C3F) and I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) utilized the latest technologies and live exercise techniques to accomplish Dawn Blitz 2015 training objectives.
DB15 involvec the compositing of 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade (1st MEB) and the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Strike Group 3 (ESG 3) as a brigade-level task force. U.S. and partner nations will conduct live-fire training at sea and ashore, Maritime Prepositioning Force (MPF) training, sea-basing operations and tactical amphibious operations from ship to shore.
Australia, Colombia and Chile also integrated military personnel within the U.S. military staff to collaborate on the latest operational strategies and build a shared understanding of how to conduct coalition sea-basing and amphibious operations ashore.
This exercise is one of a series of amphibious training events on both coasts of the U.S. that take place alternating years. Last year on the East Coast, Bold Alligator 2014 exercised U.S. and coalition forces across a broad range of sea-based vessels while conducting amphibious operations at sea and ashore as well as training in support of contingency operations.
Exercises like Dawn Blitz 2015 provide realistic, relevant training necessary for effective global crisis response expected of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.
http://navaltoday.com/2015/08/11/exercise-dawn-blitz-2015-in-final-preps/
Day one of Dawn Blitz Exercise Activities aboard USS Boxer.
Credit:Defense Media Activity – Navy:8/3/15
09/21/2015: Two F-22 Raptors from Tyndall AFB, Florida, take off from Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany.
Credit:1st Combat Camera Squadron:9/3/15
09/21/2015: 3rd Air Force, 17th Expeditionary Air Force Commander, Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray, hosted a media event at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, September 3rd, 2015, to announce the F-22 Raptor’s first ever European training deployment.
The purpose of the event was to highlight the importance of forward based infrastructure and the ability of the USAF to operate 5th generation aircraft in these environments.
Credit:52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs:9/3/15
09/21/2015: In this video, the US, Mexican and Japanese ships involved in Dawn Blitz 2015 are highlighted.
Dawn Blitz 2015 (DB15) is a multinational amphibious exercise designed to train the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps in operations expected of an amphibious task force while also building U.S. and partner nation operational capabilities and interoperability.
DB15 also tested military forces in the planning and execution of amphibious operations in a series of live training events at sea and ashore.
Credit:Defense Media Activity – Navy:9/4/15
09/21/2015: An MV-22B Osprey with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa, conducted deck landing qualifications aboard Spanish amphibious assault ship Juan Carlos I off the coast of Spain, Sept. 9.
The amphibious ship JUAN CARLOS I is a multipurpose vessel and the largest warship built in Spain.
The Australians have bought a version of the same ship and are preparing their first of two ships for operations.
The Spanish operate Harriers off of the Juan Carlos I as well.
Credit:U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa:9/9/15
Sep 15, 2015 | by Staff Sgt. Vitaliy Rusavskiy
JUAN CARLOS I, At sea — Maj. Bret Knickerbocker has made hundreds of landings in the MV-22B Osprey, but last week, something was different. It was his first opportunity to land on a Spanish amphibious assault ship, just off the coast of Spain, Sept. 9, 2015.
“The goal of practicing landing the MV-22B Osprey on Juan Carlos I is to maintain our proficiency and familiarize the process while working with the Spanish Navy,” said Knickerbocker, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa. “We have to make sure we are familiar with standard patterns, signals and to make sure we learn and understand each other’s procedures.”
The deck landing qualifications, or DLQs, are a part of the Allied Maritime Basing Initiative, which seeks to provide the U.S. and allies with a year-round maritime-based crisis response force in the Mediterranean Sea or the Gulf of Guinea by leveraging the significant amphibious capabilities already residing in Europe.
With more than 70 percent of the Earth’s surface covered by water, forces at sea are able to be closer to most crises than land-based forces.
During DLQs with the Spanish Navy, U.S. Marines have subject matter experts working alongside the Spanish in the tower aboard Juan Carlos I. These SMEs coordinate air movements to and from the ship with the Spanish.
“It was fantastic being able to work with the Spanish. They are highly professional, very well trained and overall a great group of people to work with,” said Capt. Stephen Cordon, an MV-22B Osprey pilot with SPMAGTF-CR-AF. “It builds a lot of confidence knowing that these are the allies we are working with on a daily basis out here in Spain.”
This training proved the ability of a tiltrotor aircraft, like the Osprey, to land on a deck of the Spanish aircraft carrier, said Cordon.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2015/09/15/american-osprey-lands-on-spanish-ship.html
09/21/2015: Dawn Blitz is a multinational training exercise designed to enhance Expeditionary Strike Group Three and 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s ability to conduct sea-basing operations, amphibious landings, and command and control capabilities alongside Japan, Mexico and New Zealand.
Credit: Defense Media Activity – Marines:8/31/15
09/18/2015: Air traffic controllers monitor and coordinate air traffic and vehicles within the designated areas of an established airport control zone, expeditionary airfield or remote area landing site.
Air Support Marines coordinate with aircraft and ground forces in order to provide direct and indirect close fire support.
Initial Training
After recruit training, these Marines will either complete the Air Traffic Control Basic Course at Pensacola, FL; the Air Control Electronics Operator Course at Quantico, VA; or the Air Support Operations Operator Course at Twentynine Palms, CA.
Within the MEU
Air Support and Air Traffic Controllers observe and relay weather conditions, and coordinate communications between aircraft and ground forces to ensure safe and efficient aircraft movement. They may support the Aviation Combat Element on base or deploy as part of a mobile team.
Specialties in Air Traffic Control/Air Support include:
Air Traffic Controller: Air traffic controllers routinely perform various duties and tasks related to the control of air traffic and vehicles within the designated areas aboard an established airport control zone, expeditionary airfield or remote area landing site.
Air Control Electronics Operator: Installs and operates tactical air command and control systems.
Air Support Operations Operator: Performs as liaison between air and ground forces.
This video shows USMC ATC operators at Iwakuni, Japan
Credit: American Forces Network, Iwakuni, Japan