Orchestrating excellence: 505th Operations Squadron trains behind the scenes Published Feb. 9, 2009 By Jodi L. Jordan 505CCW/PA NELLIS AFB, Nev. -- When a Red Flag exercise is underway, people from across the country and around the world come here just to catch a glimpse of the world's greatest Air Force practicing its tactical capabilities in a controlled environment. But beyond the flash of fighter jets, there's a little-known group of Airmen who are training at the same time, deep inside an imposing brick building known as the Combined Air and Space Operations Center-Nellis. Sitting in a locked room at row after row of computer monitors, these Airmen at CAOC-N aren't dropping the bombs or executing aerial dog fights. They are practicing the art of operational-level warfare by simulating the combat operations floor of an Air and Space Operations Center, or AOC, the place where quick thinking and expertise lead to delivery of precise air, space, and cyberspace effects. These students are refining their skills as members of an AOC through training provided by the 505th Command and Control Wing's 505th Operations Squadron. A typical AOC has five divisions: strategy; combat plans; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; air mobility; and combat operations. These five units work together to form the Air Tasking Order. At CAOC-N, the focus is on the combat operations division. "CAOC-N is the venue for combat operations division personnel to practice bridging the gap between tactical-level and operational-level capabilities," said Lt. Col. Bill Apodaca, 505th Operations Squadron commander. To understand the 505th OS and CAOC-N requires an understanding of what Air and Space Operations Centers do. The Air Force provides operational-level command and control through the AOC. An AOC is where the Joint (or Combined) Air and Space Component Commander, or JFACC, figures out how to build, execute, and assess an air, space, and cyberspace plan to meet the Joint Force Commander's objectives. Although CAOC-N provides training throughout the year, some of their busiest days are during Red Flag, an advanced aerial combat training exercise for U.S. and coalition aircrews and their maintainers held here. The Combat Operations Division monitors the flying operations and ensures that the actual events are proceeding according to the plan outlined in the Air Tasking Order. But even more importantly, Airmen have to be ready for when things don't go as planned - when new threats or information require a different air response. Combat operations division personnel may face unforeseen issues such as an aircraft malfunction, or get information from the aircrews that force changes to the plan. Perhaps someone has spotted a questionable group of vehicles on the ground, and more information is needed. Combat operations division staff will review the requirement, check available resources, and may redirect the air resources as necessary. "The people who come to Red Flag to train at CAOC-N already have their initial qualifications as members of the combat operations division," said Lt. Col. Darren Roberts, 505th OS director of operations. "Typically, they've already received some kind of initial AOC training at the 505th Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, so they know what they're doing. But, to put them in the middle of Red Flag, with actual aircraft flying, where they have to react to the real issues that our air assets face when they're flying? It's invaluable." "A plan is just that - a plan," Colonel Roberts said. "When rapidly evolving, real-world events require something else from our warfighters, that's where our training at CAOC-N makes the difference. When the students leave here, they know what it's going to be like for them down range, in real-world situations. We give them familiarity with the flexibility you need in a real-world situation."During a typical Red Flag exercise, the combat operations division will operate for eight nights - four each week of the two-week exercise. Additionally, students receive academic training before the actual exercise, and feedback on their performance following the event. The training, management, and feedback on student performance is provided by a team of 505th OS military and contractors, many of whom are former combat operations airmen. "The team dynamic when our students get here is incredible. They get to really support live flying operations, and then we throw all kinds of situations at them, where they have to think on their feet, and their heads are on fire trying to figure out the best way to get the mission done," said Ms. KerryJo Sampson, CAOC-N deputy task lead, who works for L3 Communications. "By the time they leave here, they've received the best training to prepare them for today's fight, and they're ready to move on to the next level. It's a really proud feeling to know we've been part of that process." "I love what we do here," said Ms. Sampson. The CAOC-N supports joint and combined forces training and education, so when U.S. Air Force, Joint and Coalition partners work together in the real world, they all come with the same understanding of combat operations division roles and responsibilities. "Our Air Force offers an array of capabilities for our joint team, and the discipline that brings them all together is command and control," Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff said during a recent visit to the 505th CCW. "It's so exciting to see our allies come to CAOC-N," said Mr. Dave Kennedy, CAOC-N Task Lead and L3 Communications. "It's a parallel path we use to create unity with other countries. When they leave here, they're aware that we'll always be working together, and they have a greater appreciation for what the Air Force does, and how far we've come with command and control processes." When a Red Flag exercise is underway, the beauty and skill of Air Force flyers will be on display. But without key players who provide on-demand command and control, the exercise wouldn't be the same. "Our air fighters will deploy, and they will be working with AOC's," said Maj. Ford Robinson, a Red Flag air boss. "Working here with the CAOC-N lets them know what to expect. They learn the verbiage, the timelines, the clearances they need. CAOC-N gives the air fighters a way to cut their teeth on AOC operations before they're in a real-world situation." For the students at CAOC-N, and the 505th Operations Squadron staff who train them, the battle might be in the air, but the critical operational-level command and control piece takes place firmly on the ground.
Orchestrating excellence: 505th Operations Squadron trains behind the scenes Published Feb. 9, 2009 By Jodi L. Jordan 505CCW/PA NELLIS AFB, Nev. -- When a Red Flag exercise is underway, people from across the country and around the world come here just to catch a glimpse of the world's greatest Air Force practicing its tactical capabilities in a controlled environment. But beyond the flash of fighter jets, there's a little-known group of Airmen who are training at the same time, deep inside an imposing brick building known as the Combined Air and Space Operations Center-Nellis. Sitting in a locked room at row after row of computer monitors, these Airmen at CAOC-N aren't dropping the bombs or executing aerial dog fights. They are practicing the art of operational-level warfare by simulating the combat operations floor of an Air and Space Operations Center, or AOC, the place where quick thinking and expertise lead to delivery of precise air, space, and cyberspace effects. These students are refining their skills as members of an AOC through training provided by the 505th Command and Control Wing's 505th Operations Squadron. A typical AOC has five divisions: strategy; combat plans; intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; air mobility; and combat operations. These five units work together to form the Air Tasking Order. At CAOC-N, the focus is on the combat operations division. "CAOC-N is the venue for combat operations division personnel to practice bridging the gap between tactical-level and operational-level capabilities," said Lt. Col. Bill Apodaca, 505th Operations Squadron commander. To understand the 505th OS and CAOC-N requires an understanding of what Air and Space Operations Centers do. The Air Force provides operational-level command and control through the AOC. An AOC is where the Joint (or Combined) Air and Space Component Commander, or JFACC, figures out how to build, execute, and assess an air, space, and cyberspace plan to meet the Joint Force Commander's objectives. Although CAOC-N provides training throughout the year, some of their busiest days are during Red Flag, an advanced aerial combat training exercise for U.S. and coalition aircrews and their maintainers held here. The Combat Operations Division monitors the flying operations and ensures that the actual events are proceeding according to the plan outlined in the Air Tasking Order. But even more importantly, Airmen have to be ready for when things don't go as planned - when new threats or information require a different air response. Combat operations division personnel may face unforeseen issues such as an aircraft malfunction, or get information from the aircrews that force changes to the plan. Perhaps someone has spotted a questionable group of vehicles on the ground, and more information is needed. Combat operations division staff will review the requirement, check available resources, and may redirect the air resources as necessary. "The people who come to Red Flag to train at CAOC-N already have their initial qualifications as members of the combat operations division," said Lt. Col. Darren Roberts, 505th OS director of operations. "Typically, they've already received some kind of initial AOC training at the 505th Training Squadron at Hurlburt Field, so they know what they're doing. But, to put them in the middle of Red Flag, with actual aircraft flying, where they have to react to the real issues that our air assets face when they're flying? It's invaluable." "A plan is just that - a plan," Colonel Roberts said. "When rapidly evolving, real-world events require something else from our warfighters, that's where our training at CAOC-N makes the difference. When the students leave here, they know what it's going to be like for them down range, in real-world situations. We give them familiarity with the flexibility you need in a real-world situation."During a typical Red Flag exercise, the combat operations division will operate for eight nights - four each week of the two-week exercise. Additionally, students receive academic training before the actual exercise, and feedback on their performance following the event. The training, management, and feedback on student performance is provided by a team of 505th OS military and contractors, many of whom are former combat operations airmen. "The team dynamic when our students get here is incredible. They get to really support live flying operations, and then we throw all kinds of situations at them, where they have to think on their feet, and their heads are on fire trying to figure out the best way to get the mission done," said Ms. KerryJo Sampson, CAOC-N deputy task lead, who works for L3 Communications. "By the time they leave here, they've received the best training to prepare them for today's fight, and they're ready to move on to the next level. It's a really proud feeling to know we've been part of that process." "I love what we do here," said Ms. Sampson. The CAOC-N supports joint and combined forces training and education, so when U.S. Air Force, Joint and Coalition partners work together in the real world, they all come with the same understanding of combat operations division roles and responsibilities. "Our Air Force offers an array of capabilities for our joint team, and the discipline that brings them all together is command and control," Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff said during a recent visit to the 505th CCW. "It's so exciting to see our allies come to CAOC-N," said Mr. Dave Kennedy, CAOC-N Task Lead and L3 Communications. "It's a parallel path we use to create unity with other countries. When they leave here, they're aware that we'll always be working together, and they have a greater appreciation for what the Air Force does, and how far we've come with command and control processes." When a Red Flag exercise is underway, the beauty and skill of Air Force flyers will be on display. But without key players who provide on-demand command and control, the exercise wouldn't be the same. "Our air fighters will deploy, and they will be working with AOC's," said Maj. Ford Robinson, a Red Flag air boss. "Working here with the CAOC-N lets them know what to expect. They learn the verbiage, the timelines, the clearances they need. CAOC-N gives the air fighters a way to cut their teeth on AOC operations before they're in a real-world situation." For the students at CAOC-N, and the 505th Operations Squadron staff who train them, the battle might be in the air, but the critical operational-level command and control piece takes place firmly on the ground.