[Military Story] JTAC Recognized Worldwide

Air Force Selects Best Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)
JTAC Personnel Skills Recognized Overseas

The role of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC) is increasing domestically. The Air Force holds a Close Air Support (CAS) Ground Control Competition every October. Last year marked the 18th edition of this competition, which was held as part of the ‘2023 Boramae Air Shooting Competition’ organized by the Air Force Operations Command. The competition evaluates all phases of Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) mission execution and selects the best JTAC, Tactical Air Control Equipment Operator (ROMAD), and the best unit in the ground control field. This year, 12 JTAC teams from both domestic and international participants took part. The preliminary round included △TACP deployment △operation of vehicles, communication, and optical equipment △final attack control using simulators △foot tactical movement (physical fitness) evaluation. In the finals, the final attack control capabilities of domestic and international JTACs were assessed under actual Korea-US CAS air power support.

The Air Force holds a Close Air Support (CAS) Ground Control Competition every October to assess the skills of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTAC). (Photo by the Air Force)

They also participate in overseas joint exercises. In April this year, they took part in the ‘2024 Desert Flag’ exercise held at Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Desert Flag is a multinational joint exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force. Our Air Force participated in Desert Flag for the first time last year, and this year, more than 30 personnel including JTACs from the 15th Special Mission Wing participated. In this exercise, the Air Force conducted training aimed at deploying and withdrawing troops in the shortest time possible, based on lessons learned from actual operations such as ‘Operation Promise’ and ‘Support for the Return of Israeli Nationals’ last year.

An Air Force official said, "Desert Flag training is a great opportunity to improve operational capabilities in high-threat battlefield conditions, in climates and terrains that cannot be experienced in Korea," adding, "Through this training, we can enhance the ability to conduct joint operations utilizing JTAC."

They also participate in Red Flag Alaska (RFA), a multinational joint air combat training exercise. The training takes place in the airspace of the Pacific Joint Air Training Range Complex (JPARC) in Alaska, which is about 1.2 times the size of South Korea. Since 2013, when six F-15K fighters flew nonstop across the Pacific to participate, our Air Force has deployed fighters and transport aircraft. Last year, they even sent the KC-330 multi-purpose aerial refueling transport aircraft. RFA participants are divided into Red and Blue forces, with a White force acting as a neutral control agency. The Red force represents a fictional enemy, while the Blue force is the allied tactical force. Korea and the US alternate roles between the Red and Blue forces.

There are four main training scenarios. First, securing air superiority and controlling the target area, then preventing enemy air infiltration into that area. The reason JTACs participate in RFA is for Close Air Support (CAS), which is an operation supporting ground forces using aircraft. During World War II, the German army was able to conduct blitzkrieg easily thanks to the CAS provided by the dive bomber ‘Stuka.’ Blitzkrieg refers to an operation where large armored units attack enemy positions, while hundreds of bombers attack combat formations and refugees from the air. It is highly effective in destroying enemy assets and breaking their will to fight. In the latter half of World War II, the Allied forces were able to gain the upper hand partly due to air support from aircraft such as the P-47D Thunderbolt.