Jointness: In the air and on the ground in Afstan

Soldiers manning Griffon guns:

...this time around, the exercise included combat arms (Army) gunners, increased simulation in the area of fire suppression, and the knowledge that this training could soon be used during a real mission...

Such training is being used, in Afstan:

...
"It was just like training; the process was the same - but I was way more vigilant and alert," said door-gunner Corporal Jesse Hall, a Reserve infantry soldier from the Governor General's Foot Guards in Ottawa. "It feels really good to be contributing to the mission here."..

Video here of Army gunner training, from Exercise Maple Guardian last fall (more here on the exercise). One aspect of the gunners' work in Afstan is here.

More jointness, of a sadly different sort:

An improvised explosive device killed three Canadian soldiers [not exactly] and injured two others in Afghanistan, bringing the country's military death toll to 111...

Killed in the blast were:

• Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown of the Lincoln and Welland Regiment
• Cpl. Dany Olivier Fortin of the 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron from 3-Wing Bagotville
• Cpl. Kenneth Chad O'Quinn from CFB Petawawa's 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron...

Warrant Officer Dennis Raymond Brown, from The Lincoln and Welland Regiment, and served with Joint Task Force Afghanistan (Canadian Forces Combat Camera)

Corporal Dany Olivier Fortin, from 425 Tactical Fighter Squadron at 3 Wing Bagotville (Canadian Forces Combat Camera)

Corporal Kenneth Chad O'Quinn, from 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group Headquarters and Signals Squadron (Canadian Forces Combat Camera)

Update: Even more jointness at the Air Wing (via Spotlight on Military News and International Affairs):

Army mission specialists help plan Canadian helicopter operations in Afghanistan

Pilots and flight engineers are no surprise among Air Force mission planners, but an observer new to Afghanistan might wonder why there are infantry soldiers on the staff of the Operations Centre of the Canadian Helicopter Force Afghanistan. The soldiers - senior non-commissioned members from the combat arms - are "mission specialists" whose wealth of expertise and experience in operations is vitally important to planners responsible for supporting the Army on the ground.

"Mission specialists are a link between the air and ground troops, and are drawn from the infantry, armour, artillery and combat engineering trades. We have both ground and air responsibilities," said mission specialist Sergeant Mike Scott of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry and currently posted to the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Air Wing. "We bring the Army perspective into flight planning, and in the air we are part of the flight crew responsible for airborne reconnaissance, forward observing and door gunning."

A combat arms qualification, the Mission Specialist specialty evolved from the Tactical Helicopter Observer specialty that was phased out in 1995 with the CH-136 Kiowa light observation helicopter. As well as all the tactical helicopter observer's responsibilities, mission specialists help bridge the gap between the Air Force and the Army in combat operations.

"We help train flight engineers and door gunners with weapons handling and marksmanship. Our training is further amplified on the ground conducting small arms training and planning security operations when the helicopters are doing missions," said Sergeant Scott.

In a dynamic operating environment like Afghanistan, the mission specialists bring critical experience and knowledge to flight crews who have never flown either in combat or in Afghanistan. Sgt Scott, for example, deployed in 2002 with the first 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry Battle Group under Lieutenant-Colonel Pat Stogran, operating with Task Force Rakkassan of the U.S. Army.

"Since I've actually patrolled the mountains here by foot, I can tell the rest of the flight crew what to possibly expect up ahead," Sgt Scott said.

Sgt Mike Scott fastens his flak vest in preparation for a mission in the International Security Assistance Force Regional Command (South) area of operations. Credit: Capt Paul Kim.

Sgt Mike Scott thoroughly checks over the Griffon’s machine gun before departing on an operational mission. Credit: Capt Paul Kim.

Adjusting his helmet strap, Sgt Mike Scott checks the crew’s equipment aboard the helicopter is set to go for an operational mission. Credit: Capt Paul Kim.