Combat Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq  By BG E.J. Sinclair

             Our Aviation Soldiers in Operations Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Iraqi Freedom (OIF) are accomplishing outstanding feats for our nation. This article will discuss some of the successes of our units in the field. We are very proud of them and their supporting families, and understand the hardships and sacrifices that they go through each day. Joint Task Force Wings (JTF Wings), led by the Aviation Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division (Light), fully exemplifies the capabilities of the Multi-functional Aviation Brigade (MFAB). They are moving out, operating in Afghanistan as part of OEF and detaching units to support OIF, demonstrating that our MFAB concept works.

Joint Task Force Wings

            The new MFAB, the Aviation Unit of Action for Army Units of Employment, is designed to be capable and lethal, modular, tailorable and sustainable (see Figure 1). JTF Wings is a capabilities-based maneuver arm optimized for the joint fight and epitomizes the goal of Army Aviation Transformation. To transform into JTF Wings (a MFAB task force), the 25th Avn. Bde. tailored its task organization using modular, company-sized capabilities, based on METT-TC considerations (mission, enemy, time, terrain and weather, troops and civilians available) for OEF and OIF. Their result is a more capable and lethal force, while increasing their aircraft sustainment during split-based combat operations.

 Capable and Lethal

            Since May 15, 2004, JTF Wings has simultaneously supported four brigade combat teams (BCT) under the command and control of Combined Joint Task Force 76 (CJTF-76), headquartered by the 25th Inf. Div. (Light). Their aviation missions have included: intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, security, vertical maneuver, support of ground forces in close combat, aerial sustainment, and command and control operations. JTF Wings is currently larger than its modified table of organization and equipment (MTO&E)  authorizations as per the 2002 structure decision, despite detaching and deploying their organic light attack battalion (1-25th ATK) to Iraq in support of the 1st Cavalry Div. as part of OIF-II (see Figure 2).

            JTF Wings’ task organization emulates the design of the MFAB. It’s an example of how the new modular brigade is tailorable for the most demanding combat missions. JTF Wings’ command and control of all Army and joint rotary wing aviation in Afghanistan under one headquarters was extremely effective. Joint interoperability and connectivity was fundamental to their efforts, along with streamlined communications and strengthened unity of command.

            The 68th Medical Evacuation Company (Air Ambulance), a HH-60L MEDEVAC unit from Hawaii, is a good example of the benefits of having one area of responsibility aviation headquarters. They were under the command and control of JTF Wings for day-to-day operations, and as required provided task organized medical assets in support ground BCTs. The MEDEVAC crews gained such inherent mission execution multipliers as operational situational awareness, three-dimensional threat information, attack helicopter security, and aviation risk approval and launch authority.

            Prior to deployment, Fort Rucker sponsored an aviation training exercise (ATX) that allowed COL Shannon Davis, the 25th Avn. Bde. commander, to organize and train his unit for the pending JTF mission. As the nucleus of the MFAB, the brigade integrated and task organized company-sized National Guard and Reserve units into aviation multi-functional battalion task forces (MFBTF). This ATX established a foundation of teamwork and collective training to forge JTF Wings into a cohesive unit of action. 

Modular

            Army transformation defines modularity as a force-designed methodology that creates capabilities based unit elements that enable responsive and rapid identification, packaging, deployment and sustained employment of fully mission-capable organizations capable of operating in a joint and combined environment in support of combatant commanders. Standardized company-sized capabilities will be the norm.

            Using METT-TC and the flight company as the primary building component, JTF Wings tailored modular elements into battalion task forces to support tactical operations (See Figure 2). The 1-25th Avn. Regt (ATK), 25th Avn. Bde., was given less than 60 days notification to deploy with its organic unit, augmented with fuel and ammunition (Class III/V) and aviation intermediate maintenance (AVIM) modular attachments, in support of OIF-II.          

Tailorable

            JTF Wings established MFBTFs based on unit locations, METT-TC and previous aviation brigade TF experiences. JTF Wings re-tailors its task organization as necessary to meet the changing METT-TC.

            TF Diamondhead, headquartered by 2-25th Assault Bn., is based in the Regional Command (RC) South sector. It’s the largest battalion TF and consists of the most lift assets. This MFBTF seamlessly combined Active and Reserve components and contractors into a unified, responsive force to decisively engage the enemy.

            TF Pirate, led by the Utah National Guard's 1st Bn. (AH-64), 211th Avn. Regt., is deployed to RC East with the CJTF-76 and JTF Wings headquarters elements. Other active component units comprising TF Pirate include: a UH-60 company module from 2-25th Assault Bn., and CH-47s from Co. B, 214th Avn. Regt. and accompanying aviation unit maintenance (AVUM) and AVIM support inherent from the 25th Avn. Bde. A command aviation company was formed with six UH-60s, two aircraft from each of the three assault companies.

            TF Saber, led by 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., is based in RC West. Their primary mission is reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition, and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration. Their actions have resulted in the turn-in of over 4,000 tons of ammunition and explosives, along with 59 tanks, 106 artillery pieces, 76 armored personnel carriers, 34 anti-aircraft artillery guns, and 28 functional HN-5 surface-to-air missiles.

            JTF Wings played an important leadership role through exploration and implementation of joint heavy lift and multi-role aircraft that augmented the aviation task force. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 is an active duty CH-53 unit based in California. CH-53s bring unique capabilities to the combined joint operations area, such as aerial refueling and fast rope proficiency.

            The 25th Avn. Brigade's HHC divided their III/V platoon into four modules, with personnel and equipment tailored for each battalion task force. One module deployed to OIF and three to OEF, augmenting the organic III/V assets of each battalion task force.

            JTF Wings combines its tactical experiences from split-based operations through weekly leadership discussions on aviation successes. Unique in OEF-V, JTF Wings developed a diverse aircraft employment set from tactics, techniques and procedures to fit a typical ground force template for cordon and search operations. This package, comprised of lift, cargo and attack aircraft, has become a common mission set on multiple objectives.

 Sustainable

            JTF Wings provided modular maintenance packages of tailored AVUM and AVIM companies to the MFBTFs. Contracted maintenance augmentation to this sustainment capability provides JTF Wings with an unparalleled ability to perform efficient aircraft maintenance. Since deploying JTF Wings has flown over 70,000 combat hours. This feat attests to the well-organized maintenance and resulted in consistently high operational readiness rates and bank times that routinely exceed 50 percent.

 Meeting Expectations

            JTF Wings meets the Army Aviation Transformation goal of a capable and lethal, modular, tailorable and sustainable MFAB. JTF Wings performs a diverse range of missions due to the multifunctional organization of its battalion task forces. The Afghanistan area of operations, with its rugged interior spanning over 600 miles, requires Army Aviation to provide the full scope of mission support. The modular composition allows JTF Wings to easily integrate with other coalition forces and joint services in conducting deliberate combat operations.

            The modular design of 1-25 Avn. (ATK), conducting combat operations in Iraq, allowed them to fly over 25,000 hours in support of coalition forces. The ability to plan, coordinate and execute all the aviation facets (lift, attack and reconnaissance) of an operation within one headquarters increases its agility.

            The accomplishments of JTF Wings, organized around the MFAB concept, conducting combat missions in Afghanistan while detaching units to Iraq, attests to the warfighting capability of the Army's Multi-functional Aviation Brigade.

ABOVE  THE BEST!!! 

BG E. J. Sinclair is the commander of the U.S. Army Aviation Warfighting Center and chief of the aviation branch.