Međunarodna uvježbavanja poput ovoga izvanredna su prilika za potvrdu interoperabilnosti i obostrano razvijanje sposobnosti kroz razmjenu iskustava i naučenih lekcija | Foto: MORH / M. Čobanović
Croatian and the U. S. forces train jointly within the “Chimera Ruin”
The international training events of the kind offer an excellent opportunity to re-establish interoperability and mutually develop capabilities through the exchange of experiences and of lessons learned.
The Croatian Armed Forces (members of the Special Forces Command and of the Intelligence Regiment) and the U.S. Air Force (31st Fighter Wing” 56th RQS, 555 FS and 510 FS) conducted a joint training event in the Training Range “Eugen Kvaternik” near Slunj from 12 -18 July 2020.
The practice featured aerial search of downed pilots using a specialised S&R HC-130J Combat King aircraft and a rescue operation using the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter, and also the practice of combat search and rescue of air crews and the close air support with live firing.
In the practice event scenario a part of the Croatian forces simulated the opposing forces searching for downed pilots, and the Croatian Armed Forces’ instructors of Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape from the dangerous area were engaged as evasion advisors to the pilots of the 555th Fighter Squadron.
During the simulated combat search and rescue operation the joint terminal attack controllers (JTAC) teams of the Croatian Armed Forces provided close air support directing the fires of two HH-60G helicopters and four F-16CM aircraft.
The HH-60G helicopters engaged ground targets with 12,7 x 99 mm GAU-18 machines, while the F-16CM engaged targets with 20-mmM-61 Vulcan guns.
The event was an opportunity for the air crews to practice the procedures and target engaging precision in an unknown terrain. The specificity of close air support consists in the interaction of the horizontal and vertical dimensions and in the challenge of integration of each air attack with the fires and the units’ manoeuvre on the ground.
The close air support practice activity served as a regular JTAC and JTAC instructor evaluation by a qualified JTAC, which was a part of the regular Croatian Armed Forces’ JTAC qualification maintenance according to NATO standards. In order to retain their qualification, each JTAC needs to conduct a set number of close air support control events of a defined type to be able to support a manoeuvre unit he is assigned to.
The international training events of the kind offer an excellent opportunity to re-establish interoperability and mutually develop capabilities through the exchange of experiences and of lessons learned.