Joint terminal attack controller
Encyclopedia
A Joint terminal attack controller (JTAC) is the term used in the United States Armed Forces
for a qualified military
service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support
and other offensive air operations. The term used historically and in other countries and the relevant NATO standard is Forward Air Controller. The term became effective on 3 September 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 309.3 Tactics. Techniques and Procedures (TTP) for Close Air Support.
in 2006, became first foreign air force to receive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command
(USJFCOM).
as capable and authorized to perform terminal attack control. United States Marine
JTACs are trained at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC), and Atlantic (EWTGLANT), United States Air Force
students are taught at Nellis Air Force Base
in Nevada
, and United States Navy
students at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
(NSAWC) at Naval Air Station Fallon
in Nevada by SEALs
assigned to NSAWC. Members of the United States Army
are trained along with Air Force students at JTAC Qualification Course (JTACQC) and members of special operations
units attend the Special Operations Terminal Attack Control Course (SOTACC) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
Army and Air Force Forward Air Controllers or "JTAC's" are now also trained at Spangdahlem Air Base
, Germany
through the JFCOE (Joint Firepower Center Of Excellence).
Air Force Special Operations Command
(AFSOC) is sanctioned by United States Special Operations Command
(US SOCOM) as the proponent for Joint Fires training and execution. Currently training is also being enhanced and accomplished through an AFSOC contract for professional services dedicated to the Small UAS program and the JTAC Program Management and Training. This contract sanctions the only existing Civilian Contracted authorities to conduct JTAC training as documented by US SOCOM Judge Advocate General
. Though many entities are currently claiming Subject Matter Expertise (SME), they are not authorized to execute their former military skills unless they are part of the above listed program. Currently, Determinative Consulting Associates and Professional Services (DCAPS inc.) is assigned as the SUAS and JTAC program managers by WinTec Arrowmaker ISO US SOCOM initiatives.
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
for a qualified military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
service member who, from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
and other offensive air operations. The term used historically and in other countries and the relevant NATO standard is Forward Air Controller. The term became effective on 3 September 2003 with the publishing of Joint Publication (JP) 309.3 Tactics. Techniques and Procedures (TTP) for Close Air Support.
Australia
The Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
in 2006, became first foreign air force to receive Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) accreditation from the United States Joint Forces Command
United States Joint Forces Command
United States Joint Forces Command was a former Unified Combatant Command of the United States Armed Forces. USJFCOM was a functional command that provided specific services to the military. The last commander was Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno...
(USJFCOM).
United States
In the United States Armed Forces a qualified and current joint terminal attack controller will be recognized across the U.S. Department of DefenseUnited States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
as capable and authorized to perform terminal attack control. United States Marine
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
JTACs are trained at Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Pacific (EWTGPAC), and Atlantic (EWTGLANT), United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
students are taught at Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base
Nellis Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northeast of Las Vegas, Nevada. It is under the jurisdiction of Air Combat Command .-Overview:...
in Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, and United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
students at the Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center
The Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center at Naval Air Station Fallon located in the city of Fallon in western Nevada is the center of excellence for naval aviation training and tactics development...
(NSAWC) at Naval Air Station Fallon
Naval Air Station Fallon
Naval Air Station Fallon or NAS Fallon is the United States Navy's premier air-to-air and air-to-ground training facility. It is located southeast of the city of Fallon in western Nevada in the United States. Since 1996, it has been home to the Naval Fighter Weapons School , and the surrounding...
in Nevada by SEALs
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
assigned to NSAWC. Members of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
are trained along with Air Force students at JTAC Qualification Course (JTACQC) and members of special operations
Special operations
Special operations are military operations that are considered "special" .Special operations are typically performed independently or in conjunction with conventional military operations. The primary goal is to achieve a political or military objective where a conventional force requirement does...
units attend the Special Operations Terminal Attack Control Course (SOTACC) at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona.
Army and Air Force Forward Air Controllers or "JTAC's" are now also trained at Spangdahlem Air Base
Spangdahlem Air Base
Spangdahlem Air Base is a United States Air Force base located near the small German town of Spangdahlem, approximately 30 km NNE of the city of Trier, Rhineland-Palatinate.-Units:...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
through the JFCOE (Joint Firepower Center Of Excellence).
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command
Air Force Special Operations Command is the Special Operations component of the United States Air Force and the US Air Force component command to the United States Special Operations Command , a unified command located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida...
(AFSOC) is sanctioned by United States Special Operations Command
United States Special Operations Command
The United States Special Operations Command is the Unified Combatant Command charged with overseeing the various Special Operations Commands of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps of the United States Armed Forces. The command is part of the Department of Defense...
(US SOCOM) as the proponent for Joint Fires training and execution. Currently training is also being enhanced and accomplished through an AFSOC contract for professional services dedicated to the Small UAS program and the JTAC Program Management and Training. This contract sanctions the only existing Civilian Contracted authorities to conduct JTAC training as documented by US SOCOM Judge Advocate General
Judge Advocate General
In the United Kingdom, the Judge Advocate General and Judge Martial of all the Forces is a judge responsible for the court martial process within the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.-Qualifications:...
. Though many entities are currently claiming Subject Matter Expertise (SME), they are not authorized to execute their former military skills unless they are part of the above listed program. Currently, Determinative Consulting Associates and Professional Services (DCAPS inc.) is assigned as the SUAS and JTAC program managers by WinTec Arrowmaker ISO US SOCOM initiatives.
See also
- Forward air controlForward air controlForward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...
- Joint Fires ObserverArtillery observerA military artillery observer or spotter is responsible for directing artillery fire and close air support onto enemy positions. Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon system, the guns are rarely in line-of-sight of their target, often located tens of miles away...
- Tactical Air Control PartyTactical Air Control PartyThe Tactical Air Control Party, commonly abbreviated TACP, is a small team of Army, Marine or Air Force personnel who provide airspace deconfliction and terminal control of Close Air Support at battle group level or below...
External links
- Well in control, Australian Army News, 21 September 2006.
- http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/new_pubs/jp3_09_3.pdf - Joint Publication 3-09.3 Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Close Air Support (CAS)