Artillery, air crews execute HI-RAIN joint exercise

Photo By Staff Sgt. Mark Miranda | Two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems fire at targets after offloading from a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, Jan. 31. The systems were prepared for the HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN) exercise involving airmen from the 728th Airlift Squadron and soldiers from 17th Fires Brigade, 7th Infantry Division. The HI-RAIN exercise consisted of using a C-17 to transport the HIMARS units and their crews from McChord Field to Hunter Liggett, Calif., which acted as a theater environment. Once there, crews fired on a stationary target using the HIMARS and then were immediately extracted by C-17 from the launch site.  

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, UNITED STATES

02.06.2014

Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Miranda 

7th Infantry Division

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Working together in the early morning hours of Jan. 31 at McChord Field, airmen and soldiers checked on two M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems before loading them onto a C-17 Globemaster III aircraft.

The launchers would be used for the HIMARS Rapid Infiltration (HI-RAIN) joint exercise involving airmen from the 446th Airlift Wing and soldiers from Alpha Battery, 5th Battalion, HIMARS, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 17th Fires Brigade, 7th Infantry Division.

Since June 2013, 17th Fires Brigade, 62nd Airlift Wing, 446th Airlift Wing and JBLM, have planned and rehearsed the forcible entry capability of the C-17 Globemaster and HIMARS launcher as an operational and strategic strike package. To date, they have successfully completed more than nine missions.

“The relationships that were developed between the 62nd and 446th Air Wings and 17th Fires Brigade have been instrumental in setting the conditions to do joint operations which culminated in Thunderbolt II,” said Lt. Col. Ian S. Bennett, commander, 5-3rd HIMARS Battalion.

For this round of the HI-RAIN exercises, a C-17 transported the HIMARS units and their crews from McChord Field to Hunter Liggett, Calif., to simulate a theater environment. Once arrived, crews engaged a stationary target using the HIMARS and then were quickly extracted by C-17 from the launch sites.

“We rehearsed all of this over five days of training,” said Pfc. Travis Mackay, a HIMARS crewmember from Capac, Mich. “I’m the driver on the crew, so we found a range with load-up areas and trained for both day and night situations.”

In September, 1st Battalion, 94th Field Artillery Regiment conducted similar “dry-fire” exercises. Crews training to deploy the HIMARS focus on proficiency in loading and unloading them quickly from a C-17.

“Simply put, I focus on getting in, starting up my panel and blowing up my target so we can (leave) out quickly,” said Sgt. Travis Armes, a HIMARS gunner from Meridian, Miss. “Our time standard is under half an hour; we’ve been able to meet that standard.”

Loading the HIMARS launchers onto the C-17, Tech. Sgt. Lenny Dewitt, a 728th Airlift Squadron loadmaster, directed each driver as they backed the 16-ton vehicles onto the aircraft.

Dewitt made sure each was placed to maintain the correct center of gravity throughout the flight. As soon as both M142 vehicles were in the aircraft, Dewitt oversaw the process of chaining them down, ensuring the chains were positioned and tightened to established standards.

Once fully loaded and secure, the C-17 took off from McChord Field and began the two-hour flight to Hunter Liggett.

As the aircraft approached Hunter Liggett, pilots established ground communication with U.S. Air Force combat controllers from the 22nd Special Tactics Squadron, who cleared them for landing onto a dirt runway.

The C-17 touched down on the runway at Hunter Liggett, and came to a stop. With engines still running, Airmen and Soldiers hurried to unchain the HIMARS. As the aircrew lowered the rear ramp, the HIMARS crews off-loaded the launchers and headed towards a designated firing point.

The launchers were stationary for just a few minutes, and soon disappeared, engulfed in dust and smoke as the HIMARS fired round after round at targets.

Upon completing the live fire, the artillery crews drove back to the aircraft where loadmasters prepared for their return. Within 45 minutes of landing, airmen, soldiers and artillery were securely back aboard the C-17 and airborne again, heading back to McChord Field.

The C-17 touched down at McChord Field, successfully completing the exercise in five hours.

“The operation demonstrated that we can deploy, fly over 700 miles in the C-17 and fire in support of 2/75th Special Operation Forces. Through the phenomenal teamwork of soldiers and airmen we proved the concept that HIRAIN is a viable asset for employment,” Bennett said.

February marks the milestone of the most HIRAIN missions completed in one month since 17th Fires Brigade began supporting joint forces training.

• Date Taken: 02.06.2014
• Date Posted: 02.06.2014 20:15
• Story ID: 120237
• Location: JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US
• Hometown: CAPAC, MI, US
• Hometown: MERIDIAN, MS, US