Red Flag Alaska 06-02 participants include airmen whose main job has them crawling around on the ground and identifying targets for aircraft strikes. TSgt. Michael Haytack, a Joint Terminal Attack Controller with the 25th Air Support Operations Squadron at Hickam AFB, Hawaii, accompanied his unit recently into the Yukon Training Area for upgrade training and told Air Force journalist Capt. Aaron Wiley that the Alaska terrain is very similar to Afghanistan. A veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Haytack has received both the Bronze Star and a Purple Heart and is now training younger airmen in tactics, techniques, and procedures. Several of his trainees are using the exercise to prepare for a JTAC qualifying course, called the joint firepower course.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.