IAF’s 190th squadron, ground forces practice multi-dimensional battle
The joint drill on Wednesday, which took place at the 210th regional division near the Syrian border, was attended by division commander Brig.-Gen. Roman Goffman.
By Udi Shaham , Jerusalem Post, December 31, 2020
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AH-64A Apache's of the IAF 190th squadron. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) |
In another step to improve the interoperability between the ground forces and the Air Force, the IAF’s 190th Magic Touch helicopters squadron, and the 210th Bashan Division carried out a joint drill on Wednesday.
This
comes as part of a cross-military effort to create a multi-dimensional
battlefield, in which all fighting elements – from space through the air
and ground to underground forces – so they will all “speak the same
language,” understand the common goal and engage targets as quickly as
possible.
The joint drill on Wednesday, which took place at the 210th regional
division near the Syrian border, was attended by division commander
Brig.-Gen. Roman Goffman. During the drill, both IAF
personnel and the ground forces mutually visited the other in action.
The division’s senior command went up in the air with the helicopters,
and the pilots visited the war rooms and the observation posts.
 |
| Co-pilot / weapons systems operator AH-64A Apache IAF 190th squadron. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) |
The drill focused on two scenarios; the first is an attack that
breaks out in the area and there is a need for all forces available to
get as quickly as possible to the scene and engage the enemy.
Such
a scenario happened not that long ago. In July, a Syrian-Iranian squad
tried detonating an improvised explosive device (IED) near the Syrian
border. The attack was thwarted after forces rushed to the scene and
fired at the squad.
Although the threat wasn’t eliminated by a helicopter – a chopper
did arrive at the scene and took part in the operation. The incident
highlighted how the readiness of all different available forces was
crucial to get the work done.
210th Division fire coordinator Lt.-Col D. told The Jerusalem Post that
“in this case, we saw how one force arrived at the scene first, and
then another one, and then the rest – and we finished it when we
prevailed.
“This
was a classic incident in which we had to connect between different
elements,” he said. “If we’re talking about a multi-dimensional battle,
this is an example for that. We had to connect the observation post on
the ground with IAF forces in the air; connect the infantry battalions
with the drone that is operating in the area; and all of that – in a
short time of a breaking incident and to create a coherent image that
all would abide by.”
 |
| Ground crew electronics technician IAF 190th squadron. (photo credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) |
The second scenario practiced was of an initiated attack against
the enemy, and all elements in the battle practiced creating a mutual
language and understanding of the objective.
Lt.-Col
D. added that the mutual visits of the different elements, in this
sense, helped in understanding the combat plan and made the joint force
even stronger.
“When our commanders went up in the air with the helicopters they felt and saw what the pilots feel and see,” he said.
“When we talk about cooperation and joining hands – this is the highest level possible.
“I
can say that the Fire Coordination department at the 210th Division is
in a high level of connectivity with the IAF – and especially with the
190th Squadron,” he added.
190th
Squadron commander Lt.-Col. Y., who was an integral part in leading the
drill, told the Post that a major goal of this drill was not only to
make the time of engagement with targets shorter, but also to create
mutual trust between the forces in the air and on the ground.
 |
| IAF 190th Squadron badge |
“I try to create trust with the other side and make them feel that I am there for them whenever they need me,” he said.
“After
creating this basic trust, we can put together mutual plans that will
take the partnership forward and make us real partners, and not just an
assisting force.”
By
that, Lt.-Col. Y. implied that the helicopters’ ability in the
battlefield can be multiplied when it is given the option to initiate,
and this is the reason why these kinds of drills are crucial to improve
the military’s combat abilities.
“Just
like other ground forces – like the observation force and the holding
force – have their ability to be independent on the ground to make their
own choices, and to advise to the rest what should be done next, [the
trust that is built in such drill] makes us more independent and more
involved in a joint action,” he said.
Lt.-Col.
Y. also talked about the firepower of the two helicopters that
accompany a ground force and that it's equal to the firepower of an
infantry battalion.
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