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 Louisiana Air Guardmembers keep current on tactical combat skills By Air Force Tech. Sgt. Sienna M. Schehr
                159th Fighter Wing
 WOODWORTH, La. - Equipped with long-range radios, laser-range finders and maps, five Louisiana Air National Guardsmen from the 122nd Air Support Operations Squadron, 159th Fighter Wing, climbed a tower 100-feet above the ground of the Claiborne bombing and gunnery range for a night close air support training mission here Jan. 19. Looking through night-vision goggles, enemy targets sparkle in the cold clear night as Joint Tactical Air Controller Air Force Staff Sgt. Nathan A. Foley assists Air Force Staff Sgt. Cesar Menzel, a tactical air control party, while he calls in coordinates for an air strike. "Have Cletus confirm he's contacted your ‘sparkle’ before approving him to attack," Foley says. Foley, an experienced JTAC instructor, coaches Menzel on sharpening his techniques in controlling the fighter aircraft into striking targets that he designates on the battlefield. “Cletus-1 cleared hot,” Menzel says over the radio to the pilots, giving the approval to attack the designated targets. Two A-10 Thunderbolts from the Air Force Reserve’s 47th Fighter Squadron circle above after dropping bombs in support of the night training mission as Foley and Menzel begin guiding the pilot’s eyes and aircraft sensors to the next target and coordinates. “Live with, train with, deploy and fight alongside the best – that’s how we roll!” Menzel says about the comradery within the group. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Andrew Guidry, a JTAC for the 122nd ASOS and operations training manager, and Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark S. Simpson II, a TACP and the newest member of the team, participated in the exercise by being the apprentices to the JTACs and learning the craft of employing air strikes. “Although the career field is very challenging, it is also very rewarding,” Simpson said. “I love my job; I have been a member of the 122nd for six years and I have loved every moment,” Guidry said. “We trust each other with our lives, and that’s a friendship that you can’t just find anywhere.” Night-training exercises provide the Airmen the opportunity to use their night-vision devices to enhance their maneuvers and to hone their proficiency before deploying into combat. “We take every opportunity we can to stay current on our requirements by participating in training such as this,” said Air Force Capt. Corey D. Johnson, a 122nd Air Liaison officer. “This also gives the flying units preparing to deploy more practice working with close air support and with JTACs.” Johnson has deployed twice. He just returned from Afghanistan in December, where he was attached to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Brigade of the 101st Airborne Infantry Division (Air Assault). While deployed, he earned an Army Commendation medal for his service, unusual for a member of the Air National Guard. “My job here is to lead the TACP, and specifically the JTACs, to become better three-dimensional warriors,” he said. “They have to be experts in controlling air strikes on the battlefield, but they also have to be very proficient in infantry tactics, techniques and procedures.” Ten years ago, TACPs focused primarily on communications and directing air strikes. On today’s battlefield, operators are part of smaller joint teams that require proficiency in small unit tactics, tactical shooting, crew-served weapons and survival skills, while still providing close air support to ground combat units. Foley and Menzel also deployed with Johnson but were attached to the Army’s 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment (Mountain) attached to the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Infantry Division (Air Assault) for nine months. “Staff Sgt. Foley was my most valuable (asset) as his actions proved critical during numerous high profile missions in the dangerous valley,” said Army Capt. Marc F. Castellucci, commander of Bravo Company, 1-102nd Inf. Reg. “He spent countless hours schooling Staff Sgt. Menzel on JTAC doctrine and how to best utilize their skill set,” continued Castellucci. “I was blessed to have Staff Sgt. Foley on my team and his knowledge of his craft proved to be a combat multiplier.” Foley and Menzel were recently awarded the Combat Action Badge for engaging the enemy under direct fire from enemy forces during combat operations in Afghanistan. Foley was also awarded the Army Commendation Medal with Valor for his actions in combat on Sept. 5. Additionally he received an Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Air Force Combat Action Medal. Menzel was awarded an Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Combat Action Medal and has a single-action medal pending approval for his deployment. Although one of Louisiana’s youngest Air National Guard units, the 122nd ASOS has already begun writing itself a rich history by distinguishing itself in support of both state and federal missions and presently has teams deployed worldwide.
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