“Bringing together 4th and 5th generation aircraft is critical for Australia because we will have F/A-18s and F-35s working together,” RAAF 75 SQN commander Mick Grant
U.S. and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) fighter squadron leaders discussed interoperability and tactical integration at RAAF Base Tindal on February 24, 2017, as their combined Enhanced Air Cooperation (EAC) training continues, while the Australian International Airshow was taking place at Avalon airport.
In his article U.S., RAAF fighter squadron leaders discuss EAC joint training, Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez of Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs explains that EAC is a combined training activity established under the Force Posture Agreement between the U.S. and Australian governments. This EAC rotation brought together two units that have a long history of cooperating: the Royal Australian Air Force’s 75 Squadron (SQN) F/A-18A/B Hornets from RAAF Base Tindal and the U.S. Air Force’s 90th Fighter Squadron F-22 Raptors from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson (JBER), Alaska.
“We’re back together again operating in a really significant training exercise testing our integration and our interoperability,” said 75 SQN commander Mick Grant. “It’s no small effort to bring a squadron all the way down from Alaska and we’re really excited to have them operating here in our backyard.”
The RAAF’s future fighter capabilities as they get ready to receive F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter aircraft will depend on the exercise activity’s ability to bring together 4th and 5th generation aircraft, according to Grant.
“It’s critical for Australia because we will have F/A-18s and F-35s, 4th and 5th generation aircraft working together, and we need to be good at it,” Grant said. “We’re getting valuable training this week. We are taking the strengths of our 4th generation aircraft and combining them with the strengths of a 5th generation aircraft — we bundle those strengths into one package to deal with the threats in our current training scenarios.”
Although the squadrons have been able to collaborate in bigger capacities, this exercise activity provides for more intensive training on a smaller scale, according to Lt. Col. David Skalicky, commander of the 90th FS.
“This is the first time we’ve had the opportunity to integrate at the unit level which has provided us a unique opportunity to delve into the tactics and individual execution of each pilot and make us better as a team,” Skalicky said. “As we get better as a team, we’re better postured as a coalition to deal with the challenges of the future.”
A unique capability that has further integrated the two squadrons is the exchange pilot program. Currently, RAAF pilot Flight Lieutenant William Grady is nearing the end of his three-year tenure as an exchange pilot with the 90th FS.
According to Grady, the chance to work with the 90th FS is a great professional and personal opportunity.
“The premise of the exchange [program] is to gain a solid understanding of 5th generation fighter flying, and bring back tactics and techniques so [the RAAF] can stand up the integrated and technical force that we’re desiring,” Grady explained.
Wing Commander Andrew Tatnell, the RAAF Base Tindal Senior Australian Defence Force Officer, said “it’s an absolute pleasure to have the 90th Fighter Squadron visiting RAAF Base Tindal as they work and train with the 75 Squadron.”
Through the beginning of March, EAC exercise operations will continue in Northern Australia.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Martinez / U.S. Air Force
