The traffic jam scenario reminiscent of the V Corps zone in OIF I now reappeared in the skies over Fallujah. The altitude separation between the two control agencies caused a split-a seam that interrupted the smooth and efficient flow of aircraft to ground units. When Fallujah erupted in April 2004, however, the Marines needed TacAir that operated above 11,500 feet for CAS, creating air control problems. This would have worked fine because the Marines helicopters, the only type aircraft they had in VIGILANT RESOLVE, rarely flew above 11,500 feet. we had a lot of coalition forces that flew with us over their and every one of them would come up to us in the CAOC and say, ‘hey listen, how can you get us to fly in the Marine sector?’ They knew that there were things happening-they could rapidly employ their ordnance on worthy targets.Īfter OIF I, C2 of aviation reverted to the CFACC (combined forces air component commander) throughout Iraq, including in the Marine AO, except below 11,500 feet where the Marines DASC had control. The senior Marine liaison officer in the CAOC (combat air operations center) recalled that: It became common for coalition TacAir in OIF I to “bingo” (a predetermined fuel remaining amount) out of the V Corps zone and go to the Marine DASC (direct air support center) after enduring a “traffic jam” of aircraft awaiting targets in the Army’s V Corps zone. Synergy between the air and ground elements was significant. The challenges of air control: avoiding traffic jams Operation Phantom Fury (Second Battle of Fallujah): Operation Phantom Fury was a joint U.S.-Iraqi offensive in November and December 2004 (Credit: USMC)
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