Thinking at 1,000 miles per hour Published Sept. 7, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Matt Hecht 177th Fighter Wing ublic Affairs Egg Harbor Township -- 'Thinking at 1,000 miles per hour', the 227th Air Support Operations Squadron completed a week of grueling training at Fort Drum, N.Y., Aug 24. The 227th is an Air National Guard unit assigned to the 177th Fighter Wing, Atlantic City, N.J., and is tasked with providing direct support for the New Jersey Army National Guard's 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and Pennsylvania National Guard's 2-28th Brigade Combat Team. "As an ASOS unit, we work with the U.S. Army, which is a fluid entity - they are event driven, and we have to flex to that," said Lt. Col. Albert Danza, commander of the 227th. "On the ground, you have to think at 1,000 miles per hour, because the game is constantly changing." Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs), and support personnel attended the weeklong training, which helped to sharpen their skills. JTACs personnel are qualified military service members who from a forward position, directs the action of combat aircraft engaged in close air support and other offensive air operations. The training consisted of calling in air strikes, small unit tactics, drop zone coordination, firearms training and combat casualty care. They got the opportunity to train with active duty and National Guard aircraft, as well as Soldiers from the 50th IBCT. "I feel very strongly that we are a force multiplier," said Tech. Sgt. Jose Almeida, one of the squadron's experienced JTAC's. "The things we do; the capabilities that we bring to the fight - utilizing fixed and rotary wing assets are key - and these rigors we encounter in training help us to have a successful outcome on the battlefield." "When you're in the cockpit, you're insulated," said Danza, as he offered his perspective from an air liaison officer's point of view. "Seeing things from the ground is an eye-opener having been a pilot. I can better relate to what the pilots providing close air support see." "This is what it's all about," concluded Danza. "Trusting your training; thinking at 1,000 miles per hour."