Hanging on the wall inside a conference room at the 5th Air Support Operations Squadron's headquarters at Fort Lewis is a giant framed glass case with inscribed plaques neatly aligned in rows.

Each of the plaques is inscribed with the name of a 5th ASOS airman who's been awarded a Bronze Star.

The Bronze Star is awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service.

There are only a few plaques that haven't been inscribed yet, but that will likely change in the near future as airmen return from combat operations overseas.

The packed display case illustrates the vital role the squadron's airmen play in the fight on the front lines.

While the Air Force and Army continue to align and further integrate operations as joint basing begins to take shape, life remains virtually unchanged for those in the 5th ASOS.

Battlefield airmen have worked side-by-side with Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade soldiers since the squadron's inception.

The airmen, commonly referred to as TACPs (tactical air control party), are assigned to Army units and advise ground commanders on the integration and execution of air and space power on the battlefield.

Depending on the size of the Army unit, TACPs routinely work in pairs. The more qualified airman serves as the joint terminal air controller responsible for calling in air strikes and ensuring the aircrew identifies and attacks the correct target, while the other airman works as a ROMAD (reconnaissance, observation, mark and destroy) - key in helping plan, diagram and execute the strike.

The job requires a tremendous amount of multitasking.

"Sometimes it can be horrendous," said Tech. Sgt. James Kattner, who's been a JTAC for 12 years and recently got back from a six-month deployment to Iraq. "You have to be able to multitask at the highest level."

TACPs must account for a variety of factors on the battlefield, taking into account what air support is available and how long it before it can arrive, and perhaps more importantly, what armament can destroy the target without causing collateral damage.

"They have to know all the armament and the exact specifications for each," said Maj. Alex Engle, the squadron's assistant director of operations.

The airmen must also interpret how best to provide for what the unit's Army commanders hopes to accomplish with each mission.

"There is a high level of trust built up (between the two branches)," Kattner said.

Not to mention the fact the unit may be under fire while waiting for the air support.

"(Each situation) is so dynamic that things are always evolving," Kattner said.

Even when the battle on the ground may force TACPs to engage with their Army counterparts in firefights, the airmen must still be able to concentrate on providing the correct targeting information to pilots.

"You want to sure you're not making mistakes talking to the pilots ... they have a lot going on up there," said Airman Jesse Mink, who was recently awarded a TACP command-level honor.

To aid in best preparing airmen to deploy, the squadron recently convoyed to a site near the Olympic National Park and the Olympic Military Operating Area as part of a training exercise.

After arriving, 5th ASOS personnel established their training camp in the hills surrounding the town of Forks and prepared to work with a group of F/A-18s from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.

From observation points high above the city, airmen used digital and voice procedures to direct pilots in simulated urban operations.

The training scenario was especially helpful in that certain topography in Forks is similar to that of urban areas in Afghanistan, said Lt. Col. Michael Whatley, 5th ASOS acting commander.

The exercise also gave airmen a chance to test technology that allows them to see the same view as the pilot without making a sound over any radios.

The more competent TACPs become with all the equipment they use and the various GPS systems, the more proficient they become on the battlefield, Kattner said.

"Every second out there is valuable," he said.