Extensive planning effort pays off at Allied Strike 2011

  • Published
  • By Capt. Tristan Hinderliter
  • USAFE Public Affairs
GRAFENWOEHR, Germany --  Fighter jets scream overhead here as the execution phase of Allied Strike 2011 is in full swing this week, capping months of extensive planning that has brought together nearly 350 people from the U.S. and 14 NATO partner nations for the largest Close Air Support exercise in Europe.

"The planning effort was massive," said Capt. Ruven Yarbrough, exercise deputy director from the 4th Air Support Operations Group in Heidelberg, Germany. "It was a giant undertaking, but one that we could do. When every person involved devotes some of their time, and a few have the ability to set the structure and vision, it's a completely achievable task."

This is the fifth iteration of the annual exercise, which has grown exponentially each year. Planning for this year's exercise really started right after last year's exercise, although most of the planning has happened in the past nine months, said Captain Yarbrough, an F-16 pilot by trade who is currently serving with the 4th ASOG as an Air Liaison Officer.

The exercise planning was a deliberate, step-by-step process. It started with a "concept of development" conference, followed by three major planning events - a typical planning schedule for a major exercise. These events included initial, middle and final planning conferences, each attended by about 50-60 people.

First, the leadership - the director and deputy director - were identified, as were directorate and lane leads. By the middle planning conference, the core structure was built and exercise planners started drafting core documents such as the Joint Manning Document, a primary schedule and a battle rhythm.

"For each planning conference, you have set goals and things you are trying to accomplish," Captain Yarbrough said. "You gather all the units and all the partner nations, divide up the tasks, and make sure everything is built from the ground up."

As part of the planning process, exercise organizers looked closely at the after-action reports from the previous year, building on the good and improving on or cutting the bad. In addition to the Joint Terminal Attack Controllers the exercise is designed to train, many other career fields integral to the exercise were involved in the planning process, including Weather, Security Forces, Combat Communications, Intelligence, Logistics, Transportation and others.

"One of the most difficult things is that during a process that long, it's very difficult to maintain focus and to meet all objectives and deadlines," Captain Yarbrough said. "Everyone involved has primary jobs that might focus on downrange operations, deployments, training or getting ready for the mission outside this exercise, so that takes priority.

"After their primary duties are taken care of, they still have to spend time making sure their responsibilities are taken care of for an exercise that's many months away. At the end, it comes quick, and a lot of people have to do some really hard work."

Lt. Col. Jon Berry, exercise director and commander of the 4th Air Support Operations Squadron, along with Captain Yarbrough, kept the planning on track and channeled the planners' efforts - which have so far yielded great results.

"Our entire planning staff has been tremendous, and I'm very fortunate to have some superstar captains working with me," Colonel Berry said. "Clutch [Captain Yarbrough] is one of them. He has a phenomenal attitude, and I couldn't be more pleased to have him as my deputy this year."

Captain Yarbrough said that as a pilot, it has been a great experience to see Close Air Support from the ground, for once, rather than from the sky.

"This exercise has been a fantastic opportunity," he said. "It's very career broadening for me to be able to see the other side of the coin. When I'm in my jet, I talk to the guys on the ground, and I did that for many years. So this opportunity to be able to actually work with some of the bravest, most courageous Airmen that are in the Air Force, and to help them set up their training programs to get them ready for combat operations, I can't imagine anything better."