Warhawks Vipers rule the Czech skies


From 3 till 14 September 2018, an international exercise named Ample Strike 2018 was held in the Czech Republic. This annually recurring exercise is geared toward honing the skills of Joint Terminal Attack Controller [JTAC] teams in various types of combat situations, such as Close Air Support in built-up areas. Main attraction of this years’ exercise was the presence of USAF F-16C/D Fighting Falcons of the Arizona Air National Guard’s 195th Fighter Squadron, aka Warhawks.

JTACs
A significant part of the exercise participants were members of JTAC teams. More than 20 teams were on the ground to train their skills, all day and into the night with different platforms including artillery. The task of the JTACs is to direct combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations from a forward position on the ground. During Ample Strike, JTACs were in the field at several training ranges in the Czech Republic calling in air strikes from fighter aircraft flying above.

Participating aircraft

Aircraft used for the training included Czech L-159 ALCA and JAS-39 Gripen jets; Mi-24/35 and Mi-171 helicopters; German Learjet and Tornado jets; Hungarian JAS-39s and Slovenian PC-9 planes, as well as two Lithuanian L-39Z Albatrosses. The United States Air Force sent six F‑16C/Ds to Náměšť AB. Additionally an American B‑52H and a KC‑135R Stratotanker took part in AMSE18. The BUFF operated out of RAF Fairford, UK, whereas the KC‑135R flew tanker support missions from Pardubice AB, in the CR. Original plans called for the Polish Air Force to send four Su‑22 Fitters to Náměšť AB, however, their participation had to be canceled due to technical reasons of a flight safety nature.

An article about this exercise was published in the December 2018 issue of FlyMag Magazine