5th Bomb Wing conducts joint training Published May 4, 2010 By Laurie Arellano Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Members of the 69th Bomb Squadron conducted joint training with a team of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) April 27 and 28 as part of efforts to maintain proficiency and increase familiarization of both Canadian and American procedures. The JTAC training included a team of six controllers from the 5th Battery, based at Canadian Forces Base Shiloh, near Brandon, Manitoba, along with four aircraft and about a dozen members of the 69th BS. The two-day training was held in and around the city of Minot. From a hill overseeing much of the city, the Canadian tactical air controllers practiced calling in simulated airstrikes on a variety of target positions, and from over 18,000 feet in the air, 69th BS aircrew received those requests then validated they had the correct targeting information. While no munitions were dropped, the training was designed to be realistic for both the teams on the ground and in the air. "It's very important for our aircrews to maintain their proficiency talking to JTACs," said Lt. Col. Michael Cardoza, 69th BS commander. "These are valuable wartime skills that combatant commanders count on when we deploy." Capt. Trevor Pellerine, 5th Battery commander, said the training is particularly valuable for the controllers based at Shilo because the Canadian Air Force doesn't have strategic bombers to train with. "It's a fantastic opportunity," he said. "It's good for us to come down and work with these guys, to make sure we're on track." Captain Pellerine said the biggest challenge for both aircrews and ground controllers is perspective, and that this training helps both teams work through that challenge. "It's making sure you're talking about the same thing," he said, "even though it's two completely different vantage points." Through radio coordination and live video feeds, both teams ensured they were clear and precise throughout the training. Once ground controllers called in the targeting information, crews aboard the B-52 entered and validated the target, then through radio and video feeds, validated they had the correct target before a simulated electronic strike was launched. The final part of the training consisted of face to face feedback between aircrews and ground controllers, something that doesn't always occur during range training. "One of the good things about this training today is getting to talk face to face with the pilots to debrief," said Captain Pellerine. Colonel Cardoza said members of the 69th BS gained valuable training as a result of the partnership with the 5th Battery. "It's been a great experience," he said. "We always love working with our northern neighbors, they are true professionals."