MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. -- Marine Tactical Air Command Squadron 28 conducted a tactical air command center embarkation exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, N.C., Aug. 21.
The purpose of the exercise was for the squadron to test its ability to deploy a TACC and hone skills that can become perishable, said Maj. Richard Laviolette, the operations officer with the squadron.
“It is important that we maintain our squadron readiness through exercises like this,” said Laviolette. “This exercise allowed us to put together and tear down a TACC to simulate what we would do in an austere environment.”
MTACS-28’s role in the aircraft wing and Marine Air-Ground Task Force is to control all aircraft within an operational area. TACCs provide data link infrastructures to monitor airspace and radar during operations.
The exercise also gave the squadron a chance to maintain equipment and train Marines for future operations and exercises. With upcoming exercises such as Bold Alligator in October and a Weapons Tactics Instructor Course next spring, it is important that we maintain our operational excellence within the squadron so that we can continue to stay mission focused, said Laviolette.
“With this type of exercise, we have to make sure that everything is where it is supposed to be and working properly so that we are ready when the time comes,” said Capt. Bradley Poulin, an electronics maintenance officer with MTACS-28. “Also, it is a great opportunity to train Marines that haven’t been trained in this kind of thing before.”
MTACS-28 is responsible for infrastructure, setting up the command center and manning the current operations floor, the brain of the TACC, according to Poulin.
“This is the largest footprint we provide when supporting something on a larger scale like a Special Purpose MAGTF,” said Poulin. “When it comes time for us to deploy, all the Marines will be ready to go.”