North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Command Operations
June 6, 2013
NATO’S FORWARD AIR CONTROLLERS TRAINED SKILLS IN LATVIA
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NATO’s AIRCOM regularly conducts these BRTEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia reaffirming commitment and solidarity to the region. While some NATO countries deploy their fighter aircraft to ensure the territorial integrity of the three Baltic States, the latter make available air bases, air command and control entities and critically needed capabilities like the FAC personnel.
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On 29 and 30 May, Forward Air Controllers (FACs) from Latvia, Lithuania and Poland cooperated with Allied fighters and helicopters from France, Estonia and Latvia and to train their skills in coordinating airborne missions in support of ground forces in fictitious scenarios at Adazi Training Area in Latvia.
During the fifteenth Baltic Region Training Event (BRTE XV) the FACs conducted air-to-ground training to prepare for their pending deployment to NATO’s ISAF operation in Afghanistan. FACs are usually employed on the ground to tell the pilots in their aircraft exactly where to go and employ their weapons or to guide them to their destination in support of friendly forces on the ground. They are indispensible especially in the ISAF scenario to ensure aircraft are employed to maximise precision and minimise undesired effects.
“This is the fourth time we’ve come to Adazi Training Area to train FACs and pilots for their real-world duties in Afghanistan. Even if NATO’s combat mission there will end soon, it is important that we maintain the FAC capability for potential future operations. Here at Adazi we have everything we need to provide FACs with challenging scenarios and we benefit from aerial support for the training from aircraft that are already stationed up here,” said Lieutenant Colonel Oliver Habel, project officer for the FAC training from NATO’s single Air Command at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
The synergy of efforts LtCol Habel referred to is due to the French Air Force detachment stationed at Siauliai, Lithuania, until the end of August. Their Mirage F1CR execute the NATO Air Policing mission for the Baltic countries; during BRTE XV the Mirage engaged a fictitious enemy force with their on-board cannon in support of friendly forces on the ground. In addition, an Estonian L-39 light fighter aircraft as well as a Latvian Mi-17 helicopter also simulated providing air support for the FACs.
“I am very pleased with the training event in Adazi Training Area which once again assured the great importance of NATO’s smart defence initiative. Not only the pilots of Allies who provide the air policing over the Baltic States but also the Latvian air controllers gained valuable skills during this training. Participation of the Air Defence Unit of the Latvian National Armed Forces also acknowledges our will to use every opportunity provided by our Allies to strengthen our defence capabilities,” stressed Dr Artis Pabriks, the Minister of Defence of Latvia.
NATO’s AIRCOM regularly conducts these BRTEs in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia reaffirming commitment and solidarity to the region. While some NATO countries deploy their fighter aircraft to ensure the territorial integrity of the three Baltic States, the latter make available air bases, air command and control entities and critically needed capabilities like the FAC personnel.
The next opportunity to train NATO FACs is scheduled in the Czech Republic and will occur in September during Exercise Ramstein Rover 2013.
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