HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- The 75th Operations Support Squadron has taken a decisive leap forward in reinforcing the Department of Defense’s Agile Combat Employment initiative with the successful completion of its first-ever landing zone safety officer training.
This effort marks a significant stride in preparing military forces to thrive in contested and austere environments—key conditions anticipated in near-peer conflict scenarios. The training, which began with an in-depth knowledge and safety briefing, drew from lessons learned in a recent joint Army, Air Force, and Air National Guard landing zone course to create a unified understanding among participants.
“This exercise lays the groundwork for future LZSO training at Hill by demonstrating the value of effective joint coordination,” said Staff Sgt. Anthony Arico, 75th OSS air traffic control watch supervisor and exercise coordinator. “It opens the door to us being able to grow these exercises to involve even more agencies and base agencies, so we’re all ready to jointly support the operations of a contingency airfield.”
The training included hands-on exercises featuring a 388th Fighter Wing pilot flying a civilian aircraft into a simulated landing zone, giving participants the chance to see effective and safe landing zone operations and the opportunity to practice communication between the control tower, airfield management and aircrew.
“It provided the team with hands-on experience in configuring and confirming in real time a landing zone, coordinating directly with a live aircraft, bringing the classroom principles to life and ensuring everyone grasps the integral role LZSO procedures play into contingency operations,” Arico said.
He said the scenario was designed to inject realism and dynamism into the drills, reinforcing operational flexibility and enhancing the squadron’s ability to swiftly establish and manage landing zones in rapidly evolving mission environments. By mastering landing zone operations, the 75th OSS is elevating its readiness posture while showcasing its adaptability in support of global flying operations.
“Exercises like this ensure we’re not only meeting minimum standards but are truly prepared to perform in everyday conditions,” he said. “It’s about being responsible for our mission and prepared to adjust to whichever airfield environment we’re in.”
As the ACE framework continues to reshape the future of air power, the 75th OSS’s training initiative represents a clear commitment to agile, forward-looking force development—ready for tomorrow’s challenges, today.