Corsair stays one step ahead of the game

Photo By Sgt. April de Armas | Pfc. Daniel Hinton, Aviations Operations specialist, 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, receives information via a radio used to keep continuous contact with troopers during a training exercise, Aug. 19-21. All American aviators rely on Tactical Operation Centers to track aircraft and activity throughout the battlefield and airspace. The troopers learned how to set up a TOC from the ground up during the training and now have a better understanding how this type of training is crucial as the 82nd Airborne Division moves into a new mission supporting the U.S. global response force. (Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. April D. de Armas, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs)  

FAYETTEVILLE, NC, UNITED STATES

08.23.2013

Story by Sgt. April de Armas 

82nd Combat Aviation Brigade

Fort Bragg, N.C. – Being “America’s Guard of Honor” isn’t all about ceremonial perfection for the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division—the reality is that it requires long hours of field training so the division can be ready to deploy troops in a matter of hours to support contingency operations where operations centers are not yet established.

This standard holds true throughout the division, including the 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade, which relies on Tactical Operation Centers to track aircraft and activity throughout the battlefield and airspace.

The 2nd Aviation Assault Battalion, 82nd CAB troopers trained at ground level, Aug. 19-21, to set up an aviation TOC at Fort Bragg’s Owen Landing Zone.

Maj. Khirsten Schwenn, operations officer, 2-82 ASLT, lead the way during the training exercise and said she feels this type of training is crucial to the mission as the 82nd Airborne Division moves into a new mission as the U.S. global response force.

“A lot of our troopers only have a memory of the past 10 years and falling in on hard stands or preexisting buildings that already have the required essentials to complete a mission,” Schwenn said. “And for some of our senior leaders, it has been a very long time since we have exercised these skills.”

As more troops pull out of Afghanistan and return home, Soldiers will need to prepare for operations where they may not have all the essentials all ready set up to sustain their mission.

“We are looking forward to supporting the global response force, and we need to be able to go into and fight from a more austere environment,” said. “This exercise is designed to teach our troopers what it is like to set up a TOC from the ground up.”

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Benjamin Sheren, operations chief, 2-82 ASLT, was in charge of setting up various training lanes for the four-day event.

“Over the next few days, our troopers will participate in lanes that teach them how to react, resist and escape all while finding a way to communicate with this forward operating base” Sheren said. “We will simulate some “fallen angels” or downed aircraft and the troopers will have to make contact by radio to us. At the same time, we have troopers playing the enemy in order to make the situation more realistic“

In order for a unit to be successful in the field environment, the tactical operations center must be ready to support soldiers. This support comes in all forms to include the basics such as food rations, fuel provisions and communications.

“I am a fueler for the battalion and normally deal with the helicopters, but I feel like this is a good experience and great practice for a real world situation,” said Spc. Nathan Riveras, HHC, 2-82 ASLT.

Maj. Toby Risner, the battalion executive officer for 2-82 ASLT, joined his troopers in the field to see the accomplishments they were making.

“There is a lot of preparation on a battlefield to determine what the enemy is doing and that is what Maj. Schwenn and her team are working to perfect,” Risner said “For some, this is their first time to participate in this type of exercise. I believe that in the few days they have been out here, I am confident they will rise to the occasion if or when that time comes.”

The 2-82 ASLT leadership plans to continue such training events in the coming months as they prepare to support the U.S. global response force.

“No one knows what the future will hold,” Risner said. “You can rest assured; we will continue this type of training, always being mission ready.”

• Date Taken: 08.23.2013
• Date Posted: 08.23.2013 11:54
• Story ID: 112488
• Location: FAYETTEVILLE, NC, US