12 CAB supports Bundeswehr forward-observer training at Baumholder

BAUMHOLDER, Germany — Elements of 1-3 Attack Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade trained with German Bundeswehr Joint Terminal Attack Controllers from the artillery school in Baumholder, on Sept. 8 and 9. This exercise puts NATO interoperability into practical application with American pilots coordinating live fire with German, French, and Dutch soldiers and aviators, demonstrating these units’ ability to work together effectively in a real-world scenario should the need arise.

“This exercise is of mutual benefit for all of us; for the U.S. as well as the Germans,” said Bundeswehr Lt. Col. Joachim Schwarz. “The main effort for this training is the cooperation between the aviation and the ground forces; fire support controlled by a JTAC, and giving them the opportunity to fire live here on a different training area,” said Schwarz.

The German JTACs at this event are actually instructors at the artillery school working on their own periodic recertification by controlling the drop of live ordinance from aircraft.

The terrain at Baumholder is very different from Grafenwöhr, where the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade usually conducts its live fire training. The undulating hills and higher elevation provide U.S. Army aviators with varied flight paths which, combined with the challenge of working with soldiers from multiple allied nations, helps to keep them adaptable.

“We were invited by the German artillery school to participate in this training event which gives us the opportunity to practice type I, II, and III JTAC controls,” said U.S. Army Capt. Sean McManus, Commander of A Co, 1-3 Attack Battalion.

A Co, 1-3 is being supported by D and E Companies as well as Air Force staff weather officers. The training event is also supported by 155mm howitzers and 120mm mortars from the Franco-German Brigade, and a Dutch Air Force A4 Skyhawk.

A German 155mm self-propelled howitzer of the Franco-German Brigade fires artillery called in by AH-64 Apache pilots of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade during combined live fire training with the Bundeswehr artillery school on Sep. 9 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Castrechino and Spc. Sean Seksinsky load rockets into an AH-64 Apache from A Co, 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion on Sep. 8 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. During this exercise 12th Combat Aviation Brigade supported the German artillery school training of its Joint Terminal Attack Controllers by providing aerial live fire controlled by German observers. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

U.S. Army Spc. Jonathan Castrechino and Spc. Sean Seksinsky load rockets into an AH-64 Apache from A Co, 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion on Sep. 8 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. During this exercise 12th Combat Aviation Brigade supported the German artillery school training of its Joint Terminal Attack Controllers by providing aerial live fire controlled by German observers. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

An AH-64 Apache from A Co, 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion make a low pass over German joint terminal attack controller instructors and members of the Franco-German Brigade at the end of a successful training iteration on Sep. 9 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. During this exercise 12th Combat Aviation Brigade supported the German artillery school training of its Joint Terminal Attack Controllers by providing aerial live fire controlled by German observers. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Marcos Guerriosesteves, an AH-64 crew chief from 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, learns how to fire a German 120mm with the help of a mortar team with the Franco-German Brigade during a cross-training opportunity on Sep. 9 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

A German 155mm self-propelled howitzer of the Franco-German Brigade fires artillery called in by AH-64 Apache pilots of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade during combined live fire training with the Bundeswehr artillery school on Sep. 9 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

A Bundeswehr forward observer armored vehicle positions for another day of live fire training with Apaches from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade on Sep. 9 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)

An AH-64 Apache Longbow from A Co, 1-3 Attack Reconnaissance Battalion launches to provide aerial live fire in support of German joint terminal attack controller recertifications on Sep. 8 at Baumholder Training Area, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. Robert Fellingham)