The 609th Air Support Squadron recently hosted a Joint Air Operations Workshop at Shaw Air Force Base, bringing together 35 U.S. Navy Sailors and U.S. Marines.
This workshop, held on February 2, 2024, aimed to enhance the understanding of exercise planning for combined and multi-domain operations within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
During the workshop, Air Force and Navy Reservists assigned to the Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element Headquarters unit and the 710th Combat Operations Squadron engaged in table-top and simulated scenarios.
These scenarios tested joint coalition partners across various domains, focusing on readiness and operational planning for naval aviation assets like the F/A-18 Super Hornet, the EA-18G Growler, and the E-2 Hawkeye.
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Justin Cooper, commander of the 710th COS Det 1, highlighted the significance of this training, noting that it was the first time his unit had trained with Navy Reserve counterparts during a drill weekend.
The workshop allowed collaboration on critical functions such as Carrier Deck Cycles and planning naval aviation assets on the Air Tasking Order via the Master Air Attack Plan.
U.S. Navy Capt. Jan Ketchum, commanding officer of the Naval and Amphibious Liaison Element headquarters, emphasized the value of the event in sharing expertise between the AFCENT and NALE teams.
The Navy Reservists brought their experience in Carrier Strike Group flight operations and Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft missions, enhancing the realism of the planning process.
The workshop also provided valuable training for future integrated air and missile defense exercises, focusing on operational procedures between air and naval elements at the Combined Air Operations Center at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
This event is part of a series of training opportunities to enhance interoperability among joint warfighters on the battlefield.
