'CSI in the sky': Joint team assesses battle damage Published Nov. 26, 2007 By Tech. Sgt. D. Clare 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs BALAD AIR BASE, Iraq -- Anytime an aircraft takes battle damage, it's a big deal for members of the Joint Combat Assessment Team. Whether it's a helicopter that took a hit or a downed aircraft, the team responds. "Every threat has its own signature. When we train to be on JCAT, we learn how these threats affect aircraft and look for tell-tale signs of damage," said Capt. Francis Marino, a JCAT assessor. "Metal that is twisted might indicate damage from a crash, other signs of damage could be indicative of real battle damage," said Navy Lt. Shawn Denihan, the JCAT Forward officer in charge here. In the case of a catostrophic aircraft incident, the team helps determine whether mechanical failure or enemy fire caused a crash. Conducting forensic examinations comparable in scope to crime scene investigations, the team travels throughout the area of responsibility collecting data that saves lives and helping warfighters adjust plans and operations. "We say that if you took an airplane, put it in a box, shook it up, and tossed it on the floor, you'd start to understand what a crash scene looks like," said Lieutenant Denihan. "We have to be able to pick up the pieces and find out what we're looking at and identify the source of aircraft damage." From the angle of entry and exit of an enemy's bullet and an aircrew report, they can identify with astounding accuracy where an insurgent stood when he fired on an aircraft and what weapon was likely used. If a new anti-aircraft armament were to be employed against coalition aircraft, the team would be the first to identify a new threat, the lieutenant said. JCAT assessors work closely with the intelligence community as they collect information and contribute to a database that identifies trends on the battlefield and shapes operations. Their joint status helps them interact with each branch in Iraq. Members are selected who have a strong background in aviation and engineering. "As an engineer, the chance to get operational experience and interface directly with the warfighter is invaluable," said Captain Marino, who is deployed from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. "This is information we can express in a technical and engineering sense that will shape the way we do business for a long time in the future. "This capability transcends beyond this conflict. Every service has an aviation component and the information we are collecting will be an incredible asset to the aeronautical engineering community in terms of designs and influencing how aircrew survive," said Navy Commander Kevin Askin, JCAT Forward's officer in charge for Iraq. Commander Askin and Lieutenant Denihan are deployed Naval Reserve members from Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.