11/14/2005 - SALUA AIR STATION, India (AFPN) -- Looking at the
radar, the four F-16 Fighting Falcons were clearly outnumbered as
12 opposition aircraft closed in to fire their weapons.
An E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control systems aircraft started
relaying coordinates, preparing the pilots for their impending
battle.
However, this time something was different. The AWACS crew was not
soaring high overhead in their Sentry.
Instead, they were on the ground using Indian air force radar and
tracking systems as part of exercise Cope India 06.
U.S. controllers have been operating out of the Indian radar
facility at Salua Air Station since Nov. 8, as they await the
return of their aircraft, which returned to Kadena Air Base, Japan,
for maintenance.
The biggest challenge is getting use to the systems and overcoming
the limitations, said Tech. Sgt. Steven Harshman, a lead weapons
director from Kadenas 961st Airborne Air Control Squadron.
Fortunately most of us have qualified on some sort of ground
control station before.
As Cope India 06 neared the midpoint, fight scenarios intensified
with several aircraft participating. Ratcheting up the tempo put
added importance on the command and control operators.
Of course it can be challenging when you have to switch to a
system you are not use to using, said Capt. Michael Thomas, a
squadron senior director. However, with help from our Indian air
force counterparts, we have been able to seamlessly transition our
operations, keeping our pilots informed and in the game.
For both the U.S. and Indian controllers operating together has
provided many learning opportunities.
There is a lot of educating for both sides, Captain Thomas said.
It is always a good opportunity to see how another countrys
command and control operations is carried out.
Though this exercise pits U.S. and Indian aircraft -- battling
daily overhead -- the exercise ultimately is about crafting
understandings and constructing a working relationship between the
two air forces.
Having Americans control out of here has been a very diplomatic
process, said Lt. Col. Peter Bastien, the squadrons detachment
commander. The Indian Air Force has been very gracious in working
with us so we can continue our work, keeping this exercise
flowing.
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