128 S13 Ep 10 - Air-Ground Disconnect: Why Enablers Fail in the Brigade Fight w/JRTC Subject Matter Experts

The Joint Readiness Training Center is pleased to present the one-hundredth-and-twenty-eighth episode to air on ‘The Crucible - The JRTC Experience.’ Hosted by MAJ Marc Howle, the Brigade Senior Engineer / Protection Observer-Coach-Trainer, and MAJ David Pfaltzgraff, BDE XO OCT (formerly the BDE S-3 Operations OCT), from Brigade Command & Control (BDE HQ) on behalf of the Commander of Ops Group (COG). Today’s guests are subject experts are mainly from the Task Force Aviation (CAB) at JRTC: MAJ Steven Yates is the BDE S-6 Signal OCT from the Brigade Command & Control Task Force (BDE HQ). CW2 Brendan Henske is the Unmanned Systems OCT, CW3 Sean Deegan is the Aviation Mission Survivability Expert OCT, and CPT William Landrum is an Attack Aviation / Close Combat Attack OCT from TF Aviation (CAB).

 

This episode examines the persistent challenges of integrating aviation enablers into brigade and division operations, emphasizing that most failures stem from planning, communications, and relationship gaps rather than technical limitations alone. A central theme is that aviation routinely enters the fight late, under-integrated, and without a shared understanding of the supported unit’s command-and-control architecture. Units struggle to establish effective PACE plans, COMSEC alignment, and interoperable mission command systems, often discovering incompatibilities only once operations are underway. The discussion highlights how compressed timelines, lack of habitual relationships, and insufficient lead time for satellite access, Link 16, and network approvals create cascading effects that degrade air-ground integration. The episode reinforces that if aviation and ground forces cannot communicate reliably, they cannot synchronize maneuver, fires, or protection—turning aviation from a force multiplier into a liability. 

 

The conversation also explores best practices for enabler integration, stressing that success is driven by commander emphasis and deliberate preparation at home station. Effective formations establish habitual training relationships, exchange LNOs early, rehearse air-ground communications repeatedly, and validate both digital and analog common operating pictures. Particular attention is given to the importance of shared graphics, airspace coordination, and rehearsed battle drills for degraded or denied communications. The panel underscores that enabler integration is not the responsibility of a single staff section; it requires commanders, S3s, S6s, aviation staffs, and supported units to collectively own the problem. The key takeaway is clear: aviation integration in LSCO succeeds when it is planned early, rehearsed often, and treated as a core warfighting task—not an afterthought added during RSOI or once units are already in contact.   

 

Part of S13 “Hip Pocket Training” series.

 

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Again, we’d like to thank our guests for participating. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and review us wherever you listen or watch your podcasts — and be sure to stay tuned for more in the near future.

 

“The Crucible – The JRTC Experience” is a product of the Joint Readiness Training Center.