‘this is not one weekend per month, you
will need to be here an additional week
every three months and an additional
three weeks in the summer’. About 90
per cent of their training, even if it is on
the weekend, is outside of the fence line,
either at Warren Grove Range [WGR],
Fort Dix or somewhere else completely
different.’
Therefore, recruiting the right people
is essential, as Danza explains. ‘That is
why we dangle the carrot of our training
trips. Not all are just to WGR. Last yearwe deployed to Germany and England,
and [to ranges] throughout the US.’
Donohoe adds: ‘The annual training
plan is a building-block approach
culminating in a big event. Last year there
were two major events, one in Alaska and
another in Louisiana, supporting major
army exercises including what we don’t
want to do — participate in a computer-
generated war. Sitting in a TOC [tactical
operations center] watching a simulated
war, improvising our job. It’s true that
we learn a lot, but it is still kind of anosebleed since we have the mentality
that we want to be out there enjoying the
sun, going crazy and running through
the woods. We have to do that as well.’
The 227th ASOS has around 70 unit
members, which equates to 90 per cent
of its authorized manning level. About
30 per cent are full-timers. Donohoe
continues, ‘The members come from a
variety of backgrounds, especially law
enforcement. Many are ex-active-duty
servicemen and the age is typically 24-- JTACs are part of a small but tightly
Below left to
right: A TACP runs
to board a US
Army Black Hawk
during a 227th
ASOS training
event. ANG/
MSgt Andrew J.
MoseleyLt Col Al ‘Moe’
Danza, an
experienced pilot
and air liaison
officer.
Dr Richard PorcelliUNIT REPORT // 227 th ASOS
38 February 2018 //^ http://www.combataircraft.net
36-41 227 ASOS C.indd 38 13/12/2017 14:41