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“Precision Engagement”AnotherMilestone for the 174th FighterWingBy Lt. Col. Tom Owens, 174thOperations Group CommanderEight F-16s, well over 100 combattrained personnel and a C-5 full ofequipment returned on August 8th froman invaluable deployment to Hill AFB,UT. The 174th Fighter Wing’s participationin Combat Hammer 03-04 marked yetanother significant milestone for the 174thin staying current and relevant in today’sAir and Space Expeditionary Force(AEF). The training the unit received wasdirectly aimed at increasing our ability“To deter or attack and destroy enemysurface and airborne forces in support ofjoint operations…” the major thrust of ourAEF mission.The milestone is our demonstrationas a unit to perform Precision Engagement,a key “USAF Distinctive Capability.”This was not the first time 174thjets have fired maverick missiles northe first time they have dropped LaserGuided Bombs (LGBs). It was,however, the first time we have targetedthese weapons along with thenew Joint Direct Attack Munition(JDAM) with such exacting precisionthat it affirms our role as a PrecisionEngagement capable F16C+ unit.We have also honed our core competencyas a leader in bringing Technology-to-Warfighting,something thatSyracuse has always carried as itshallmark in the force.Our recent history is markedby numerous examples of how the174th FW has played a crucial role indeveloping the F16C+’s superior wartimecapabilities. Whether it was providing theaircraft and avionics expertise for F16CGPS Kitproofing, providing ongoing developmenthelp in SADL GatewayConops, deploying a 4-ship to supportSADL Air-to-Air Precision Engagement,leading the ANG as the Sniper Pod unit,providing AATC support, or the-list-isendless,the 174th has always been a premierF16 unit in the Combat Air Force(CAF) when it comes to technology andfighting for our nation.The 174th FW should stand confidentand be very proud of not only ourlegacy in ANG contributions toward thismilestone, but in our current state ofreadiness as we approach the upcomingAEF. We will undoubtedly take the manyCOMBAT HAMMERply sunscreen. The weapons crewsworked diligently to prepare the LaserGuided Bombs (LGBs) which were employedon Tuesday, the Joint Direct AttackMuntions (JDAMs which utilize theGPS) which were employed on Wednesdayand the Mavericks. Both the climateand the training provided an excellent opportunityto prepare for our AEF deployment.One of the highlights of the trip was thefinal flight for LTC Ray “IB” Montalgreatemployment lessons that we havelearned from Combat Hammer and immediatelyincrease our ability to engage theenemy in a more precise and lethal manner.Kudos to all, your efforts today, asthey have proven over and over in thepast, will surely ensure great success fornot only the 174th FW from Syracuse,NY, but for all the ANG, the CAF and theUnited States.“Precision Engagement II”By Lt .Col. Ted Limpert, 138th FighterOSquadron Commandern relatively short notice, SG, LGand OG pulled together and deployedto Hill AFB, Utah for CombatHammer. Hammer, as it is more commonlycalled, is traditionally an excellentopportunity to employ live munitions in atactical scenario, while having real timefeed back on weapons effects. This Hammerwas no exception. Eight jets deployedon Saturday, August 2, followedby the main body in a NYANG C-5. The8 ship was led by Ops Group CommanderLt. Col. Ted Limpert, 138 FS, Commander, employs a GBU-12 fromTail # 570, scoring a direct hit approximately 30 seconds lateragainst a simulated Command Post structure inside a sophisticatedtraining target array in the South UTTR.LTC Tom “Tuna” Owens and featured ournewest Lieutenant, Scott Bissonnette, flyingthe D-model as number 8. The projectofficer was MAJ Scott “Gripper” Brenton,the Chief of Wing Weapons.Planning and execution wasflawless as all 8 jets and the C-5 arrived inSalt Lake City without a hitch. The jetswere immediately reconfigured forplanned employment of the Maverick Airto Surface missile on Monday. Sundaywas available for pre-mission planningand for maintenance and weapons to ensurethe jets were ready for Monday’smission. F-15E “Strike Eagles” from LakenheathEngland shared tight quarterswith us and provided adversary Red Airfor the realistic scenario. Also included inthe scenario were ground threat emittersand “Smokey Sams”. Smokey Sams aresmall rockets that are launched at our aircraftto simulate surface to air missiles.The weapons ranges at the UtahTest and Training Range or “UTTR” aresome of the best in the country. Theranges are exceptionally large and haveflat desert terrain, surrounded by mountains.The threat arrays include airfields,surface to air missile sites, tanks, buildingsand even moving vehicles. Significantlow altitude training could be accomplishedbecause the area is so sparselypopulated.MAJ Brenton led the first maverickmission on Monday against the movingvehicle targets. After successfullyfighting their way through the F-15Es,which were simulating enemy fighters, theflight was illuminated by the groundthreat emitters, necessitating a threat reactionand deployment of chaff and flares.Smokey Sams were launched, requiringfurther threat reactions prior to employmentof the Maverick. Back at Hill AFB,a live feed of the missile telemetry allowedthe gathered pilots and maintenancepersonnel to watch Grippershack the APC that was the towedmoving target. (The pilots were cautionednot to target the lead tank,which was the vehicle used to tow thetarget APC. Thanks to good trainingback at home, only the desired targetswere destroyed.) There were twoviews of the shot, one directly from themissile and another from a remotecamera focused on the target. As theAPC filled the missile field of view, aquick shift to the fixed camera showeda direct hit and ensuing explosion,knocking the APC into the air.Maintenance and munitionstroops worked especially hard all weekunder the direction of 1st LT Marsha Coleand Chief Mike Will. The flight line temperatureswere in the high 90s, necessitatingfrequent reminders to hydrate and ap-8 1-800-883-4484