Altus Air Force Base Supports International Training Mission

  • Published
  • By Lt Col. Jonathan Tamblyn
  • 97 OSS/DO
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla.-- --  Based out of Bagotville, Quebec, six advanced Canadian CF-18 aircraft and their highly trained crews are scheduled to arrive at Altus AFB 25 Nov. These aircraft and crews belong to the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron and will play a central role in the training of Canadian Forces' Forward Air Controllers in artillery ranges at Fort Sill Oklahoma.

In order to support this flying mission, a total of 75 Canadian Forces personnel will be arriving in Altus between 24 and 27 November and the entire team will depart 10 December.

The men and women of the 97th Air Mobility Wing are standing ready to provide their support to an important ally in the significant training operation for the Canadian students at Fort Sill's ranges.

Forward Air Controllers, known in the military as FACs, are highly specialized and essential personnel in combat operations today. Trained to communicate with airborne crewmembers, they often operate in hostile territory to identify enemy targets and help combat pilots locate those targets for elimination.

From Altus AFB, the 425th TFS pilots will fly their CF-18s over the ranges at Fort Sill to give a real-life day and night training experience for the Canadian FAC students. The FAC students will be on the ground at Fort Sill's ranges communicating with the airborne CF-18 pilots and practice giving instructions that will hopefully lead to an effective engagement of simulated enemy forces and ultimately produce qualified and skilled allied FACs.

There can be little doubt about the relative value of this training. Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates stated, "The best solutions require multiple nations acting with uncommon unity." This visit gives Altus AFB and the local Altus community an opportunity to demonstrate uncommon unity between the 97th Air Mobility Wing and the 425th Tactical Fighter Squadron, the United States and Canada.

For more information regarding the 425th TFS visit to Altus AFB, please contact Lt Col. Jonathan Tamblyn at 481-1341.