Royal Thai Air Force combat controllers recently worked alongside US Air Force air mobility airmen at Red Flag Alaska 15-3 to build capability and improve communications integration and mobility operations management, according to JB Elmendorf-Richardson officials. Flight Sgt. 1st Class Saknarong Wongin and Flight Lt. Phongsakron Namjit visited the exercise to work with Capt. Michael Spanogle, an air mobility liaison officer from the 3rd Air Support Operations Squadron, practicing cargo bundle airdrops and paratrooper insertions. Spanogle said the exercise was a unique opportunity for both air forces to see how their Special Forces and combat controllers operate. Airmen with the 3rd ASOS also helped install new radio equipment on a Humvee, demonstrating new voice and digital radio’s abilities to their Thai counterparts and helping show how the radio could increase communications capabilities with both troops on the ground and airborne assets. In addition, USAF air liaison officers worked with the Thai CCTs to set up landing zone panels to guide aircraft, as well as “point of impact” markings. USAF airmen shared techniques on how to record data and how to get that information to aircraft. The cooperation and training help build interoperability, which will come in handy during real world large force operations, states the release.
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.