Air assaults – fast but not easy

Photo By Monica Guthrie | Aircraft from 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, participate in Operation Iron...... read more read more

Photo By Monica Guthrie | Aircraft from 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, participate in Operation Iron Boston, Jan. 27, 2008, in Iraq.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

02.26.2008

Story by Spc. Monica Guthrie 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

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By Pfc. Monica K. Smith
3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – Rather than moving Soldiers on the ground through difficult terrain sometimes littered with improvised explosive devices, many infantry units in the rural areas south of Baghdad opt to use helicopters to reach their targets.

"Air assaults extend the abilities of the ground units," said Capt. Joshua Karkalik, commander of Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. "A lot of times the purpose of an air assault is the element of surprise, or the target is not reachable by ground either because of the terrain or because of IEDs," Karkalik said.

When the call comes for these air assaults, the Black Hawks of 4-3 Avn. Regt. take the lead role in transporting the troops to their destinations, but getting Soldiers from Point A to Point B is a complicated process.

The ground troop commander prepares the mission, decides what targets to hit and then works with his aviation representative to create an initial concept of the operation where they lay out what they want, how many people they are trying to move and where they are trying to go.

The first meeting with the aviators is called the "aviation mission coordination meeting." During this meeting, aviators look at the ground commander's intent and try to create an arrangement that would facilitate his plan.

With a plan in place, the aviators present it to the ground commander during an air mission brief.

"This is the 'good idea' cutoff point," said Chief Warrant Officer Joshua Gunter, Co. B, 4-3 Avn. Regt., from River Fall, Ala. "This is where we tell the ground units, 'This is what the aviation unit can give you,' and we finalize the plans," he said.

Finally there is an air crew brief, a detailed brief describing all events and actions down to the second, including show times, landing times and even who calls for refueling when the aircraft return.

"We get detailed because air assaults are the most difficult," said Karkalik, a Jasper, Ind., native.

"There are so many variables included. Everything can change. There are a lot of elements, a lot of moving pieces. What seems to be a simple mission can become complex," Karkalik said.

A conditions check is performed on the night of the mission which includes weather reports and a preflight inspection of the aircraft and equipment. The infantry unit is picked up, and an operations and intelligence report is conducted to keep all Soldiers, both aviation and infantry, on the same page.

"Sometimes the information is three or four days old and we need a refresher to make sure we all have the same information based off the current and correct details," Karkalik said.

During the mission each person has an assigned job. The flight leaders get the Soldiers to the target on time, while the air mission commander looks at the big picture and makes decisions in case of contingencies.

"With multiple aircraft trying to land and take off in one area, it can be very difficult," said Karkalik. "That is, unless you're Bravo Company."

Since deploying to Iraq, 4-3 Avn. Regt. has conducted more than 160 air assaults with Company B. The sheer numbers mean they've gained experiences they can apply to other missions.

"With the experience we learned out there with other units, we are able to apply them to new missions," Karkalik said. "The ground units have come to expect (aviators) to provide input on the aviation side such as with landing heading and which way they should exit the aircraft."

The aviators' expertise helps the infantry Soldiers take their enemies unaware.

"It gives the ground troops the element of surprise. It doesn't give the enemy a chance to run because we're there and they have nowhere to go," said Spc. Rolando Rodriguez, Company A, 4-3 Avn. Regt., from Barstow, Calif.

"They're being blocked off to the north and south and we have Lighthorse (Kiowa Warriors from 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment), and Vipers (Apaches from 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment) keeping watch overhead. We're there and we're quick; there's nothing really to it," Rodriguez said.

Despite the hard work involved, many aviators say air assaults are the most enjoyable of their missions.

"(Air assaults) might get tough but you never get bored," said Chief Warrant Officer Joel Fonseca, Co. B, 4-3 Avn. Regt., from Salem, Mo.

"Everything happens quickly and the missions are so different you are always doing something new... and it's not as mundane as VIP missions," Fonseca said.

Gunter says he enjoys air assaults because of the direct impact they make on the enemy.

"They know that at any given night we can land in their backyard and snatch them," he said. "It's got to be a humbling experience to be 'Mr. Big and Bad' and then it changes really fast."