Ten Kenya Defence Forces and Airmen have completed Kenya’s first-ever Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training on close air support missions.
The US-led 12-week course improves interoperability and enhances the officers' ability to operate close air support and deconflict airspace, the US Embassy in Kenya said on Tuesday.
"Congratulations to the 10 KDF soldiers and Airmen who completed Kenya’s first ever Joint Terminal Attack Controller Training."
The Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller Course (SOTACC) teaches Special Forces troops from the Army, Air Force and Marine how to control the pilot in the sky from the ground during combat to avoid friendly casualties.
The course trains officers to conduct precise close air support missions involving the control of multiple aircraft flying at different altitudes and approaching from various directions, the US Army states on its website.
SOTACC involves high explosive bombs dropped from aircraft streaking through the sky thousands of feet above providing close air support to ground troops.
A number of armoured tank hulls and trucks are positioned within the square for use as targets.
