by: Airman 1st Class Asiah Phillips, 147th Attack Wing, Texas Air National Guard

HONOLULU, Hawaii - Members of the 147th Air Support Operations Squadron sharpened their ability to operate in jungle-like terrain during a 10-day exercise in Hawaii. 

The overall objective of the training was to prepare the 147th Tactical Air Control Party Specialists and Joint Terminal Attack Controllers in the Texas Air National Guard for success in the Pacific Theater.

TACP is one of the two weapons systems supported by the 147th Attack Wing on Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base in Houston. In the past, they have served as a liaison between the Air Force and Army by supporting air strikes, maximizing firepower on the ground, and collecting data for the combatant commander. Recently, TACP has shifted its focus to be more Air Force-centric.

Lt. Col. Steven Kroll, 147th ASOS commander, and Master Sgt. Justin Tassin, 147th ASOS operations superintendent, chose to train in Honolulu in April due to its ability to mimic the tropical terrain found in Pacific regions. In previous conflicts, TACPs trained in desert-like environments. With the current geopolitical climate, it has become increasingly important to be able to operate in the Pacific.

“For the wing commander, the objective is to be ready to fight at any time. This is how we do it,” said Kroll. “This is testing our ability as a unit to mobilize, deploy and operate in an unfamiliar environment.”

Tassin partnered with Air Force, Marine Corps, Army and Navy squadrons in Hawaii to coordinate the exercises and logistics of the field training. 

Most of the ground training was led by survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists from the 15th Operations Support Squadron at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam with the 25th ASOS at Wheeler Army Air Field.

“It has been a true joint effort as far as the training aspect,” said Tassin. “It’s a training wonderland for all of the objectives that we can accomplish. You can come here and accomplish a full mission set with the environment and the Marines and Army here.”

The 147th ASOS is focused on succeeding in any theater, regardless of the location. They will continue to sharpen their skills through joint force partnerships to achieve their objectives.