157th Airman manages airborne communications links for major exercise

By: Bridget Zorn
Missouri National Guard Public Affairs

IMAGE+LINK > NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. - 55th Fighter Squadron, F-16s from Shaw AFB, S.C. sit at the end of the runway and await clearance for takeoff during Red Flag 10-3 Feb 23. 2010. Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. The exercise is conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range north of Las Vegas. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth).
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. - A Missouri National Guard officer is managing the network connecting command and control assets during a joint, multi-national aerial combat exercise at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

Lt. Col. James Simokaitis, a joint interface control officer assigned to the 157th Air Operations Group at Jefferson Barracks, is participating in Red Flag 10-3 as the officer-in charge of the joint interface control cell.

As the officer in charge of the joint interface control cell, Simokaitis leads the team responsible for managing the network connecting fighter, bomber, strike, and command and control platforms with each other and the ground-based control and reporting center and air operations center.

The exercise featured more than a dozen aircraft models as well as troops from Australia and the United Kingdom.

"I compile inputs from my team, make assessments, and brief the air operations center floor each day on the operational link status of all players," Simokaitis said.

Managing the communications link is an important aspect of an air battle. When all systems are functional, the enhanced interoperability between pilots, air crews and ground operators communication allows the chief of combat operations or the joint force air component commander to make informed and timely decisions regarding the air campaign.

The JICC constantly monitors the status of the data link and the players' capabilities, Simokaitis explained. "This helps me recognize potential problems and direct troubleshooting efforts and ultimately solutions so that there is continuous situational awareness in the battle space."

Simokaitis' team in the 157th normally consists of an officer in charge and three enlisted personnel, but as a live exercise, the extremely realistic training Red Flag provides is providing participants with unique opportunities.

"The Joint Forces Command Joint Multi Tactical Digital Information Link School at Fort McPherson, Ga. chose this particular exercise to be the final qualifying event for about 15 potential theater joint interface control officers," Simokaitis said. "Not only am I directing the management of the theater data link network, the course instructors have asked me to help train their students on executing a theater data link plan and how to integrate their functions with an air operations center floor."

As a joint and coalition exercise, Simokaitis is working alongside a variety of personnel. The students include members of all the American armed forces-both active duty and reserve component-as well as a handful of civilian contractors.

"Another member of my crew is a Royal Australian Air Force enlisted member, whom I am also helping train so he can become a theater data link manager in Australia," Simokaitis said.

Red Flag exercises are conducted on the 15,000-square-mile Nevada Test and Training Range near Las Vegas, includes air forces of the United States and its allies. Red Flag is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center and Nellis Air Force Base.