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Ample Strike Aug 30- Sept 20, 2016 |
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| Location: 22nd Helicopter Base Náměšť nad Oslavou, Czech Republic |
| Admission: Closed to the general public, credentialed media only |
| Parking: N/A |
| Value: Excellent |
| Rating out of 10: Not an air show |
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The third Czech-led international Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC)[also referred to as Forward Air Controller (FAC)] exercise Ample Strike took place in the Czech Republic from August 30 to September 20. Seventeen Allied and Partnership for Peace nations came together to train their JTACs, aircrew and commanders of units on the ground in a realistic, complex and demanding scenarios. |
| The 2015, Ample Strike achieved a record number 1600 control runs allowing JTACs to keep up their skills of controlling aircraft in support forces on the ground. For 2016 Ample Strike did not exceed this number, instead concentrated on providing even more complex and Challenging Air Land Integration scenarios.
Adding to the exercise complexity, another novelty was the air-to-air refuelling missions during tactical and bomber missions. USAF KC-135R tankers refuelled not only German Tornado jets, Czech and Hungarian Gripen aircraft, but also USAF B-1B and B-52H strategic bombers operating from RAF Fairfield in the UK.
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| The seventeen Allies and Partners consisted of the following: Belgium, Canada, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States. |
would like to thank the Public Affairs namely Captain Tomáš Maruáščák, for all his support during our visit. |
The total number of participants were approx. 1500 out which included 300 Allied and Partner soldiers, two rotations of 180 each Czech active reserve and about 1000 regular Czech soldiers. Aircraft participating listed below: |
| The exercise included aircraft from the following Nations: |
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| Report by the Editor with photography by Wolfgang Jarisch and Peter Thivessen for |
