Photo By Vincent Abril | Soldiers from the Republic of Korea 101st Infantry Regiment, 17th Inf. Division,...... read more read more
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CAMP STANLEY, South Korea – South Korean and American Soldiers waited shoulder-to-shoulder as UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters approached a pickup zone to extract the combined fighting force. Within a matter of seconds, they were loaded onto the aircraft and flown off into the horizon.
This training scenario is one of many that the 2nd Battalion (Assault), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Avn. Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, has conducted with its Korean and U.S. counterparts over the years. The 2-2 Avn. Regt., also known as the “Wild Cards,” pride themselves on delivering speed, mobility and surprise.
The participating Soldiers were mobilized and sped off to the suspected location, employing the element of surprise with the help of these aviation assets. Inserted onto a landing zone, the lethal force prepared to secure and seize the notional stash of weapons that were part of this training scenario.
The Republic of Korea’s 101st Inf. Regt. 17th Inf. Div., worked alongside the 23rd Chemical Bn., 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Bn., 12th Cavalry Regt., 1st ABCT, 2nd Inf. Div.
Working with Korean Soldiers is a reoccurring opportunity for those stationed here. But for one Soldier, this exercise presents a special opportunity.
“This is pretty cool,” said Pfc. Mikol D. Morales, an infantryman with Company B, 1-12 CAV, and native of Buena Park, Calif. “I get to experience working with another country’s army and see who we are fighting alongside. I think this is awesome.”
Morales and his teammates are based out of Fort Hood, Texas, and are part of a nine-month rotational deployment here.
This combined synchronization of tactics took a lot of preparation and communication, but the fruits of their efforts should be far-lasting and beneficial.
“It’s an incredibly valuable experience to get so many Soldiers from the ROK army and U.S. Army together to do such a complex operation,” said Capt. Drew M. Mumford, commander of Co. B, 1-12 CAV, and native of San Diego, Calif. “Learning how their tactics work, how they understand the battlefield and how they maneuver will help us do combined operations in the future.”
The 2-2 Avn. Regt. has consistently provided such training opportunities to ROK and U.S. forces on the peninsula. Getting Soldiers from point A to point B is something they enjoy doing.
“Anytime, anywhere, we can efficiently provide air mobility to our forces and effectively train soldiers on the air assault platform, we are there,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin D. Oliver, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot with 2-2 Avn. Regt., and native of Athens, Tenn.
To carry out such vigorous training scenarios takes a lot of cooperation and synchronization, but that doesn’t stop the 2-2 Avn. Regt. They are prepared to do it all over again proactively ensuring their “Fight Tonight” capabilities remain razor sharp.
“The 2-2 Avn. Regt. is always ready to train with anyone,” said Oliver. “We’ve trained in Japan and Thailand, and have conducted multiple training exercises with the ROK allies. We are always willing to try different things, while working with and fully supporting our ground commanders and troops.”
With common purpose, interest and mutual understanding, the true benefits of such a strong alliance and realistic training increase the likelihood of victory for combined operations in the future.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 08.08.2014 04:35 |
| Story ID: | 138682 |
| Location: | PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR |
| Hometown: | ATHENS, TN, US |
| Hometown: | BUENA PARK, CA, US |
| Hometown: | SAN DIEGO, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 79 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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