Fort Bliss Monitor

Echo, 1-1 trains at Nellis Air Force Base

1st Lt. Craig Cunningham
31st ADA Bde.

The chalk commanders and select Soldiers had the best seats in the house as they were invited to the cockpit for the takeoff, flight and landing of the Globemasters at the end of Echo 1-1’s 10-day exercise at Nellis Air Force Base.

Echo 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Brigade, “the outlaws,” recently returned from a 10-day exercise at the Joint Datalink Information Combat Exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada.

The exercise is designed to address the problems our current tactical networks are having relaying timely and accurate information to units at all levels of command. The current system is platform and service specific, which results in incorrect, too little or too much information being passed to the units. This has resulted in fratricide, incorrect weapon assignment for a target and missed opportunities for time sensitive targets. The ultimate vision for JDICE is to integrate and synchronize the data links to optimize joint combat coordination.

The outlaws left for the mission Dec. 4, but not before certifying two air load teams on C-17 Globemaster aircraft. On the day of the movement, the load teams seamlessly loaded the vehicles onto the aircraft and the battery bid farewell to El Paso. The chalk commanders and select Soldiers had the best seats in the house as they were invited to the cockpit for the takeoff, flight and landing of the Globemasters. Further, all Soldiers on the flight had the opportunity to tour the cockpit while in flight and received a detailed explanation of the numerous instruments and functions.

Spc. Andy Sanchez was one of the Soldiers who was able to spend the entire flight with the pilots and remarked, “I’ve been in planes before, but never had this view.”

The operation was an eye-opening experience for both Echo Soldiers and Airmen as well. Echo set up Patriot equipment in order to provide the air picture for the Air Force’s experiments to develop new Tactics, Techniques and Procedures. They also helped the Air Force refine their data link architecture as well as aiding in the study of joint command and control of intelligence, signal and electronic warfare.

Although there were many new experiences, several familiar ones took place as well, such as reload and march order/emplacement training under the watchful eye of launcher Platoon Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Bradford Wilson. Chief Warrant Officer Anson Seebeck enjoyed the new prospect of reading and relaxing while on the exercise that he described as the “best field problem I’ve ever been on.”

His leisure was a direct result of his concerted efforts every “maintenance Monday” – the intensive vehicle preparation prior to the trip – and the overall superb maintenance program in Echo led by Seebeck and Platoon Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class John Ozenghar.

In addition to the joint exercise, Echo was joined with elements from 3-2 ADA Bn. and 31st ADA Brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. They successfully coordinated their communications through both these elements and took advantage of cross-training opportunities.

Capt. Zack Hurst evaluated 1st Lt. Christopher Talley for a Table VIII certification, which he passed. Spc. Keon Ellison found the overall experience to be a good training event and “became more aware of the purpose of Link-16 communications” as well as how to integrate it.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	February 3, 2005

	Echo, 1-1 trains at Nellis Air Force Base 1st Lt. Craig Cunningham 31st ADA Bde. The chalk commanders and select Soldiers had the best seats in the house as they were invited to the cockpit for the takeoff, flight and landing of the Globemasters at the end of Echo 1-1’s 10-day exercise at Nellis Air Force Base. Echo 1-1 Air Defense Artillery Brigade, “the outlaws,” recently returned from a 10-day exercise at the Joint Datalink Information Combat Exercise at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada. The exercise is designed to address the problems our current tactical networks are having relaying timely and accurate information to units at all levels of command. The current system is platform and service specific, which results in incorrect, too little or too much information being passed to the units. This has resulted in fratricide, incorrect weapon assignment for a target and missed opportunities for time sensitive targets. The ultimate vision for JDICE is to integrate and synchronize the data links to optimize joint combat coordination. The outlaws left for the mission Dec. 4, but not before certifying two air load teams on C-17 Globemaster aircraft. On the day of the movement, the load teams seamlessly loaded the vehicles onto the aircraft and the battery bid farewell to El Paso. The chalk commanders and select Soldiers had the best seats in the house as they were invited to the cockpit for the takeoff, flight and landing of the Globemasters. Further, all Soldiers on the flight had the opportunity to tour the cockpit while in flight and received a detailed explanation of the numerous instruments and functions. Spc. Andy Sanchez was one of the Soldiers who was able to spend the entire flight with the pilots and remarked, “I’ve been in planes before, but never had this view.” The operation was an eye-opening experience for both Echo Soldiers and Airmen as well. Echo set up Patriot equipment in order to provide the air picture for the Air Force’s experiments to develop new Tactics, Techniques and Procedures. They also helped the Air Force refine their data link architecture as well as aiding in the study of joint command and control of intelligence, signal and electronic warfare. Although there were many new experiences, several familiar ones took place as well, such as reload and march order/emplacement training under the watchful eye of launcher Platoon Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Bradford Wilson. Chief Warrant Officer Anson Seebeck enjoyed the new prospect of reading and relaxing while on the exercise that he described as the “best field problem I’ve ever been on.” His leisure was a direct result of his concerted efforts every “maintenance Monday” – the intensive vehicle preparation prior to the trip – and the overall superb maintenance program in Echo led by Seebeck and Platoon Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class John Ozenghar. In addition to the joint exercise, Echo was joined with elements from 3-2 ADA Bn. and 31st ADA Brigade’s Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. They successfully coordinated their communications through both these elements and took advantage of cross-training opportunities. Capt. Zack Hurst evaluated 1st Lt. Christopher Talley for a Table VIII certification, which he passed. Spc. Keon Ellison found the overall experience to be a good training event and “became more aware of the purpose of Link-16 communications” as well as how to integrate it.