The US military is training joint terminal attack controllers (JTACs) who usually operate on land to direct air support from ships and aircraft, US Central Command (CENTCOM) revealed on 17 August.
US personnel board an Emirati UH-60L Black Hawk that landed on USS Lewis B Puller during a live-fire exercise in the Gulf on 11 August. (US Marine Corps )
It said that marine corps, air force, and special operations JTACs under its command were stationed aboard a variety of US naval vessels and aircraft during a 9-12 August exercise.
The naval vessels involved included the expeditionary base ship USS Lewis B Puller , which also acted as a staging platform for helicopters from the United Arab Emirates’ Joint Aviation Command (JAC), as well as Cyclone-class patrol ships and MK VI patrol boats. JTACs also flew in an AC-130W Stinger II gunship.
From these platforms the JTACs directed live fire from the AC-130W and JAC helicopters at inflatable targets in the Gulf.
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