Weapons school starts new urban close air support training in rural Nevada Published May 7, 2007 By Senior Airman Travis Edwards Nellis AFB Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Urban close air support training flown from Nellis Air Force Base took place over towns in southern Nevada April 23 and 24. The training is called urban close air support, which integrates aircraft in support of ground operations by attacking targets in close proximity to friendly troops. The two towns are Caliente and Panaca, with a combined population of about 1,500 residents. "Most training is conducted in rural locations with targets out in the open on the Nevada Test and Training Range, but in the current combat situation in both Iraq and Afghanistan, our troops on the ground need support in both urban and rural environments, said Maj. David Epperson, 16th Weapons School instructor. "The two towns provide just that." The training provides about 50 members from the 16th Weapons Squadron, 8th WPS and the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron the most realistic training without ever dropping a bomb. Major Eppereson said this training is some of the best training they can get in situations that pilots may face. He said it also prepares joint terminal attack controllers for real-world deployments. Joint terminal attack controllers are officers and enlisted Airmen who provide final clearance for aircraft to drop their weapons during CAS operations. "There are six JTACs on the ground finding targets, they will then send the information to the jets who will in turn, mock-bomb the target," said Master Sgt. Phillip Freeman, a combat controller and JTAC instructor assigned to Air Force Special Operations Command at Hurlburt Field, Fla. All the munitions used in the training will be simulated. All aircraft conducting the training will be 4,000 feet above ground level and traveling about 400-500 mph. "We look forward to meeting people in the towns," said Master Sgt. Eric Nielsen, special operations JTAC instructor. "We will stop for lunch or dinner and would be happy to talk to people about urban close air support training, or anything else about the Air Force." The next UCAS training exercise is scheduled for October.
