Trainer learns intricacies of joint service mission

Published Jan. 20, 2010
By Susan Griggs
Keesler News editor

KEESLER AFB, Ms. -- Ten months after returning from a six-month deployment to Iraq, Master Sgt. Shawn Fogg reflected on a memorable assignment as an Airman working for the Army with Navy technology.

Sergeant Fogg, a 20-year Air Force veteran, was deployed for the first time in his career from Fort Gordon, Ga., where he's served for 2½ years as a training development specialist with the 338th Training Squadron's Detachment 1. His primary Air Force Specialty Code is satellite, wideband and telemetry systems.

"With three days notice, I was tasked to deploy with the Army," Sergeant Fogg recalled. "Despite working on an Army installation, I had no idea what lie ahead. I started at combat skills training, then electronic warfare training, both Army-led courses. Once I arrived in Baghdad, I was equipped and trained by the Navy, then sent to Camp Echo, where I was assigned to an Army infantry unit."

Sergeant Fogg installed, maintained and perform pre-convoy checks on vehicle-mounted CREW jammers -- counter radio-controlled improvised explosive device electronic warfare systems -- and trained Soldiers to use the devices properly.

"Day and night, convoys rolled through dangerous territory," Sergeant Fogg said. "The enemy had become more sophisticated, using the latest technology available to any consumer. Terrorists devise both simple and intricate radio signal-controlled explosives, and they're often concealed from even the most alert observer. CREW jammers seek out these devices and prevent them from doing their damage, saving countless lives."

On three occasions, Sergeant Fogg rode "outside the wire" in convoys of Humvees and mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles -- MRAPs for short.

"Although well trained in war tactics, the Soldiers were limited in their understanding of the CREW systems," he pointed out. "Some of the experienced soldiers were hesitant to rely on the systems because of initial design shortcomings, but the jammers are now much more effective than when first implemented. My rides boosted the confidence of the soldiers in the systems."

After four months, Sergeant Fogg was reassigned to a new battalion. He met them in Kuwait, where they waited for orders to more into Iraq. After staging personnel and equipment, they flew to Baghdad, then to Camp Kalsu, in a combination of aircraft, all flown by the Air Force -- Blackhawk helicopters, a C-130, then Chinook helicopters -- that Sergeant Fogg found fascinating.

"The Blackhawk was very noisy outside, but fairly quiet inside, with very tight 'accommodations' -- you climb aboard wearing a helmet, eye and ear protection, body armor and rifle, about 70 pounds of gear," Sergeant Fogg remembered. "There's no ramp, just a 4-foot high step with a rotor thumping inches above your head. Once onboard, you have to fasten a five-point harness around yourself in the dark. Your bags and equipment are stuffed under and on top of you, so there's no way to move around once you're inside -- if you're fortunate, you can see out of the window, although your head may need to stay turned for the duration of the flight.

"In comparison, the C-130 has a loading ramp, commercial aircraft-style seating and a lot of room inside," he continued. "Normally, your gear and a lot of other stuff rides behind you.

"The Chinook is a combination of the two -- it's a helicopter with two rotors providing twice the noise and vibration. It can carry an Abrams tank from its belly hoist and 40 troops with a lot of stuff inside. It also has small, high-mounted windows, but there's a great view to the rear -- the loading ramp is left open during the flight to accommodate the gunner and his 30-caliber machine gun."

At Camp Kalsu, Sergeant Fogg was the electronic warfare officer and a member of the battalion staff working in the intelligence branch.

"I was entrusted with training all 750 Soldiers, from the O-5 to the E-1s," he explained. "When I left Camp Kalsu, two Soldiers had been fully trained and equipped for reclassification to the Army EWO field and 21 Soldiers to directly augment them."

One afternoon, a Humvee was hit by a hard-wired improvised explosive device.

"When we learned of the event, everyone was concerned and angry," Sergeant Fogg stated. "The convoy Soldiers received only minor injuries, but the vehicle was destroyed. They were eager to return to their convoy tasks. They had defeated the unseen enemy -- death -- with their will, and we were proud of them."

Sergeant Fogg said any rivalry between the Army, Navy and Air Force was set aside to accomplish the mission.

"I trusted the Soldiers during pre-deployment training -- they taught me land navigation, combat weapons use and administering an IV while under fire," he remarked. "I gained valuable counter-IED knowledge from the Navy; in turn, the Soldiers trusted me for counter-IED tactics training and CREW operations and maintenance. I trusted the judgment of the seasoned Soldiers during convoy operations, and the Soldiers obeyed the Airmen responsible for the aircraft they flew in.

"We had an unspoken agreement, 'We already have an enemy, so why not work together?,' Sergeant Fogg added.

"I would deploy with any of those fine people again," he said. "Ultimately, it was a very rewarding and fulfilling experience."

During his deployment, Baghdad and Kuwait provided the only reliable contact with his home, so Sergeant Fogg was overjoyed to return to his wife, Nancy, and his 16-year-old son, Rob.

Back at Fort Gordon, Sergeant Fogg said his deployment experience provides an additional dimension to his legitimacy as a trainer.

"In addition to 'talking the talk,' I have lived through the experience, providing first-hand accounts of new equipment, explaining the joint operations culture and trusting my wingman," he commented.

Sergeant Fogg remains at Fort Gordon as operating location as noncommissiioned officer in charge as the 338th TRS detachment shrinks from 42 members to 10. Many of those members have come to Keesler to support the new radio frequency transmission systems apprentice course that began Jan. 5 which melds the ground radio and satellite, wideband and telemetry systems courses. The new course is part of Keesler's cyber training transformation.