TACP trains Malmstrom Airmen

  • Published
  • By By Staff Sgt. Delia Marchick
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Airmen from Malmstrom recently received training from a Tactical Air Control Party team.

The training was initiated to enhance the working relationship between the 40th Helicopter Squadron and the 741st Missile Security Forces Squadron.

“We developed the training to advance the missile security forces and helicopter squadron’s joint tactics and integration,” said Capt. Nick Smith, 40th HS UH-N1 Iroquois pilot.

Airmen from the 741st MSFS, including tactical response force and contingency response force participated in the training.

“There were six three-man teams from the security forces group that went through 107 different controls, or iterations,” said Tech. Sgt. Daniel Marchick, 40th HS UH-N1 Iroquois flight engineer.

While the training focused on security forces Airmen it was designed and coordinated by the helicopter squadron’s exercises and inspections team while working closely with the 341st Security Forces Group.

“Marchick put this whole thing together. He did all of the work and deserves all of the credit,” said Smith.

Marchick has a background in special operations and knew the tactics that TACP members use would benefit and strengthen the security here.

“We already have everything here we needed for this training so we just worked on getting the approval to receive training from the experts,” said Marchick.

The four-day training started with two days of instruction followed by two days of ground training and night practical exercise.

Malmstrom Airmen were taught how to identify their location and the location of the target using maps. Once those locations were identified, the ground team contacted the aircrew in the helicopter to initiate communication.

“The ground team gets into contact with the (helicopter) and they receive a brief from the aircrew on the helicopter’s capabilities and how much time they have,” said Smith. “From there the ground team describes the location using the maps, surroundings and other location identifiers such as a buildings or towers.”

Airmen also learned night-friendly and target marking and got to practice the new skills with the TACP members at night.

“The night training was similar to the ground training except at night we used night vision goggles, lasers, infrared lights,” said Smith.

According to Marchick, the joint training is necessary to enhance defender and aircrew capabilities to monitor the whole battlefield.

The training updated current training standards to prepare for increasing capabilities of the helicopters.

“This will also increase ability to establish friendly and enemy locations, providing the ability to neutralize threats safely and expeditiously,” said Marchick. “In order to achieve efficient engagement of any threats, instruction included deconfliction and integration of both air and ground assets.”

The Airmen that received the training will be responsible for training fellow Airmen which could lay the foundation for effective contingency response.

After the four-day training the TACP team and 40th HS representatives briefed 341st SFS leadership on the success of the training and proposed future joint training sessions.