Falcon FARP keeps the Kiowas going

Photo By Monica Guthrie | Spc. Timothy Cross, member of Company B, 277th Combat Support Task Force, attached to 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, watches a Kiowa depart the Falcon forward armament and refueling point after being refueled, Jan. 27, at the Combat Aviation Brigade flight line.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.28.2008

Story by Spc. Monica Guthrie 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division

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

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – When troops on the ground need the help of attack helicopters, it is essential those aircraft spend as little time away from the fight as possible. For the Kiowas of 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, quick pit-stops to restock fuel and ammunition are often made at the Falcon forward arming and refueling point.

"When troops are in contact (with the enemy) it's important the Kiowas can fuel and get out," said Sgt. Adam Bartlett, Company E, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. "They don't have the time to shut down and get cold fuel. Normally they'll call four or five minutes out, but for situations like that, they call from a way out. When we hear them tell us they need rockets, it means they've been out shooting."

The Falcon FARP, located at the Combat Aviation Brigade flight line, is manned primarily by the Soldiers of Co. E, 4-3rd Avn. Regt., though Soldiers from 3-17th Cav. Regt. help support the FARP, said Staff Sgt. Samuel M. Middleton, Company E.

Pilots call the FARP over FM radio with an estimated time of arrival and needs of the aircraft, which range from refueling, loading rockets, light maintenance such as un-jamming a gun or de-arming an aircraft for test flights.

"We have eight Soldiers per shift," Middleton said. "On the FARP, one Soldier comes out to run the fuel truck, two Soldiers do the actual refueling, while two Soldiers do the re-arming, loading rockets or doing maintenance for the guns. While one Soldier is working the other stands ready with the fire extinguisher and then they switch."

If the aircraft only needs refueling, the process could take as little as five minutes from when the aircraft lands to when it takes off, or 10 minutes for fuel and armor, said Bartlett.

Though the Falcon FARP is primarily designed for Kiowas, the FARP pad can be reconfigured to assist Black Hawks. However, the Riflestock FARP, which is located on the opposite side of the flight line, also refuels and re-arms. Riflestock FARP provides service to Black Hawks, Chinooks, Apaches and other coalition forces helicopters. Having another FARP chiefly for Kiowas reduces stress that may overwhelm the Riflestock FARP, said Middleton.

"Having the Falcon FARP makes refueling and re-arming more expedient," said Lt. Andrew Alvord, Co. E, 4-3rd Avn. Regt. "The mission of the OH-58s is constant. Those guys are always flying so it requires them to be quick, in and out, just to keep that flow and their mission going."

To date, Bartlett said, the Falcon FARP has distributed more than 1.5 million gallons of fuel to more than 5,000 visits from aircraft. Bartlett says he takes pride in his work though he has not always felt that way.

"When I first came in I didn't really like my job, but this is my third deployment and I understand now how what we do is important," Bartlett said. "Once you get a full understanding of what we do – I think that's where the enjoyment comes from."

• Date Taken: 01.28.2008
• Date Posted: 01.28.2008 12:54
• Story ID: 15826
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ