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The 66th and 77th WPS conduct JTAC Training

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Susan Roberts
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 66th Weapons Squadron from Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, and the 77th Weapons Squadron from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, came together for Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training at Dyess AFB from Oct. 23 to Nov. 1, 2018.

The exercise included establishing an area where Airmen parachuted onto an open field at Brownwood Regional Airport, Texas, from a C-130J Super Hercules assigned to the 29th Weapons Squadron from Little Rock Air Force Base, Arkansas. The airport acted as the simulated enemy territory where JTACs jumped from a plane to mimic how they would enter a combat environment and leave the area without being detected.

“Training here at Dyess is better for the squadrons because we’re able to train our students at a more micro level,” said Maj. Jonathan Scott, 77th Weapons Squadron assistant director of operations. “It allows us to focus on the students more, and achieve very specific B-1 and JTAC level training items so that they can continue on in the course.”

This training is conducted in a more controlled environment on a smaller scale every six months at Dyess AFB.

The Airmen from both squadrons will use the experience they gained to be more prepared for their next training exercise at Nellis AFB where it will be performed on a much larger scale. The successful teamwork and training at both bases between the 66th WPS and the 77th WPS allows the Airmen to effectively provide mission essential experience for JTAC members in real-world operations.

The biggest thing is leadership; being that leader in the room, being able to integrate and understand that they’re the subject matter experts is what we want them to gain from this, said Master Sgt. Daniel Staggs, 66th Weapons Squadron JTAC flight chief. We understand that their capabilities are great, but also knowing their limitations is important so we can all work together to drive that information where it needs to go so they can get a successful plan on the ground.