AL ASAD, Iraq -- Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (Forward) conducted training with 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Aug. 6 to enhance the squadron’s ability to work with ground forces.
Marine light attack helicopter squadrons primarily provide close air support for units on the ground as ANGLICO acts as a liaison between ground units and incoming aircraft used for close air support.
The live-fire training exercise provided both components of the Marine Air Ground Task Force an opportunity to practice offensive air support, explained Capt. Caleb Nimmo, a pilot with the squadron.
“The training keeps everyone up to speed and hashes out any problems we may have to endure when lives are on the ground,” said Nimmo. “This ensures we are proficient.”
The two aircraft, a UH-1 Huey and AH-1 Cobra, flew patterns around targets, awaiting target coordinates from ANGLICO. When the air support was requested, the two aircraft flew in with machine guns and rockets effectively destroying the training targets.