169th Air Support Operations Squadron
U.S. Air National Guard photo by Staff SGT. Lealan Buehrer/Released
Members of a 169th Air Support Operations Squadron (169th ASOS) Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) pictured during the Operation Northern Strike exercise, August 2014.
The center-most airman is using a compass to determine an azimuth in order to coordinate close air support.
The 169th ASOS carries out the Air Operations Support (Air Liason Officers providing advice on the use of air power) and Tactical Air Control Party (JTACs calling in air strikes) mission.
169th ASOS JTACs have deployed on operations with U.S. Army Special Forces in Afghanistan.
Several 169th ASOS airmen have been awarded Bronze Stars for their actions while deployed.
The unit is a subordinate unit of of the 182nd Airlift Wing, Illinois Air National Guard.
