History was made recently (31 March 2010) on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, when the 13th Air Forces, 1st Air Support Operations Group Commander and I Corps', Air Liaison Officer, Colonel Robert Evans Evans, welcomed and integrated I Corps Air and Missile Detachment (AMD-D) into his formations. This first-ever merge of a Corps-level AMD-D with an Air Support Operations Squadron was the result of numerous successful accomplishments the joint team achieved while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).

     Members of the Air Support Operations Group and the AMD-D worked side-by-side on Camp Victory Iraq achieving the first single integrated air picture (SIAP) for Iraq in over six years. This SIAP was critical to improving close air support (CAS) allocation, air space deconfliction and more importantly, gave Air Force Joint Tactical Air Controllers (JTACs), high- and low-level situation awareness of the battlefield.

     "It was critical that we joined forces at home station to better train and prepare our deploying JTACs and brigade combat teams (BCTs) for success, like we recently achieved in Iraq. This merge only made sense and was the right thing to do," said Colonel Evans.

     Brigadier General Heidi Brown, the I Corps Deputy Commanding General for Sustainment and Corps Senior Air Defense Officer, visited the 1st Air Support Operations Group 5th Air Support Operations Squadron and was thrilled with the joint integration and team work. Colonel Evans gave a detailed mission brief and explained some of the complexities and challenges that will be solved with this joint merger.

     Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Beyerly, Commander, 5th Air Support Operations Squadron, proudly showed Brigadier General Brown his state of the art training and support facility, emphasizing how the joint team will bring great capabilities not only to the Army and Air Force but for our sister services as well.

     "I am excited with the unlimited potential and possibilities that this joint teaming will bring to the theater," said General Brown. "This joint merge will be a model for other Air Force units and Corps AMDs across the country and overseas to mirror," she continued.

     Upon completion of her tour, General Brown thanked Colonel Evans for an outstanding visit, embracing integration and for leading the way by asserting his command philosophy to include the true spirit of "one team, one fight."