Forward Air Controller in Ramadi

May 22, 2025 00:52:07
Forward Air Controller in Ramadi
The Spear
Forward Air Controller in Ramadi

May 22 2025 | 00:52:07

/

Show Notes

In this episode of The Spear, retired Marine officer David Berke joins to share a story from 2006, when he was a forward air controller attached to an Army unit in Ramadi, Iraq. During a movement-to-contact patrol, they began to take fire, and his job became especially important. He declared the TIC—troops in contact—and two Marine Corps F/A-18D Hornets headed their way to provide close air support. Listen as he tells the story, explaining what it's like to work with the pilots in the air to engage the enemy in support of the ground force.

Other Episodes

Episode

December 07, 2023 00:37:14
Episode Cover

MQ-9 Reaper in Eastern Afghanistan

This episode of The Spear features a story from US Air Force Major Joe Ritter. An RPA pilot, his story takes place both at...

Listen

Episode 0

August 26, 2020 01:00:52
Episode Cover

Chasing Ghosts

In 2012, Mike Kelvington was a company commander in 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry Regiment, deployed in southern Afghanistan's Kandahar province. He joins The Spear...

Listen

Episode

June 19, 2025 00:37:32
Episode Cover

A Marine Platoon in Anbar Province

In 2004, Tim Strabbing was a lieutenant and platoon commander in the Marine Corps, deployed to an area just outside Fallujah in Iraq's restive...

Listen