Talon warriors demonstrate air power

Photo By Vincent Abril | A Korean Super Puma helicopter shoots flares during a combined U.S. and Republic of Korea army rotary wing aircraft demonstration at Biseung Range Oct. 6, 2014 here. The 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade’s 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion and 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment brought with them two AH-64D Longbow Apache and two OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopters to participate in the demonstration allowing 2nd CAB to further strengthen the ROK and U.S. alliance. (US Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Abril, 2nd CAB PAO)  

YANGPYEONG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA

10.06.2014

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Vincent Abril 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

YANGPYEONG, South Korea – Soldiers of the 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry carried rockets and large rounds of ammunition as they worked feverishly to prepare two AH-64D Longbow Apaches and two OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters during a combined rotary wing aircraft demonstration with elements of the Republic of Korea Army Aviation Operations Command, Oct. 6, 2014.

The demonstration began soon after the opening ceremony for the AAOCs ‘Top Heligun,’ (meaning top helicopter gun), competition. The event was for Korean helicopter aviators to test their skills and compete against their fellow pilots for the bragging rights as the ‘Top Heligun.’

Although the competition was for Korean aviators only, pilots and crewmembers of the 4th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd CAB and the 6th Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd CAB put on a show of airpower alongside their Korean counterparts prior to the competition.

“Today is a demonstration of capabilities between U.S. and ROK rotary wing aviators,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Bean, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter pilot and squadron safety officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6-17 CAV and native of Mariposa, Calif.

The demonstration was just one part of the event explained Bean.

“The ROK army is starting their Top Heligun competition all the week,” said Bean. “They will be out here with their aircraft and they’re going to have a nice top gun competition to see who shoots the best in the ROK army.”

The demonstration featured several aircraft including ROK army Cobra Attack helicopters, UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and the Super Puma helicopter. The small airfield was littered with aircraft prior to the demonstrations start.

When the event started, one by one each helicopter took turns pounding a mountainside range with rockets, TOW Missiles and machinegun fire. One helicopter even gave an impressive display of flares that looked like angel wings in midair.

The Korean media and spectators were not the only ones seeing all the action. Even those responsible for maintaining the aircraft had a front row seat to something they don’t see every day.

“I think this great,” said Roque D. Martinez, an armament, electronic and avionics specialist with Company D, 4-2 ARB, 2nd CAB and native of Phoenix Ariz. “Besides showing off our stuff, I’m getting to see a lot of things that I would have never been able to see here. I’m seeing things that a lot of people in the army may never see. Watching the Koreans doing their thing and watching their aircraft shoot rockets and rounds is pretty amazing”

This event surely promoted interoperability while enhancing the U.S. and ROK alliance. 2nd CAB works and trains with many different Korean units of all forces across the peninsula as the only permanently forward stationed combat aviation brigade in the U.S. Army.

That fact alone paves way for Soldiers to experience a very unique relationship and training environment with ROK and U.S. forces here.

“I feel lucky,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jody S. Clark, an Apache helicopter pilot with Company A, 4-2 ARB and native of El Dorado Hills Calif. “It’s neat to do something like this, especially working with our ROK counterparts. This is my first time working with the [ROK Army]. It’s fun to work with all the different aircraft here.”

This isn’t the first time 2nd CAB has participated in such events. 2nd CAB is committed to the ROK / U.S. alliance and the 2nd Inf. Div. mission always flying forward, ready to ‘Fight Tonight’ deterring aggression and maintaining peace on the Korean peninsula in support of the U.S.-Republic of Korea Alliance.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2014
• Date Posted: 10.16.2014 02:52
• Story ID: 145167
• Location: YANGPYEONG-GUN, KR