Marne Air finalizes training with 48th IBCT

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Tatum | Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery regiment 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducts sling load operations with, Dec. 12, at Fort Stewart, Ga.  

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, UNITED STATES

12.12.2018

Story by Sgt. Ryan Tatum 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, conducts sling load operations with 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Dec 12 at Fort Stewart, Ga.

This training is enables the 48th IBCT to meet the requirements for their upcoming mission to Afghanistan, while enabling Marne Air Soldier to maintain unit readiness.

“Our mission was an artillery raid, we provided heavy lift support for the 1st Battalion, 118th Field Artillery regiment in preparation for their deployment,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Timothy Stuart, a CH-47 Chinook pilot for Company B 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. “This was my first opportunity lifting M777 howitzers as a Chinook pilot.”

Marne Air Soldiers were tasked to lift and move, M777 and M119 Howitzer, with their CH-47 Chinook in the vast Fort Stewart training area to support the 127 “Hickory Howitzer” Soldiers in their Gunnery Table certifications.

Prior to any lift, the CH-47 Chinook pilots talked to the “Hickory Howitzer” Soldiers and discussed safety and lift options.

“This is not my first time conducting sling load operations, however this is my first time moving four M777 howitzers in one day,” said Spc. Duncan Beasley, a CH-47 Chinook crew chief for Company B, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. “It is my job to check their paperwork and inspect the load to ensure the safety of the aircraft, load and passenger if we are to have them on board.”

This training is not only for the pilots but the entire crew as well. The manning for a CH-47 Chinook requires two pilots and two crew chiefs. As the CH-47 Chinook lifts off the crew chiefs positions themselves one at the side-door and the other at the hole were the load will hook up. The process of hovering under the equipment can be nerve-racking for both crewmember on air and ground.

“The crew chief in the hole is calling for the pilots to maneuver in small increments under the load to get the aircraft in position, said Beasley. “The pilots have to maintain the hover factoring in the winds that could move it slightly out of place making it tedious for everyone in position.”

Marne Air and “Hickory Howitzer” Soldiers were able to complete their missions quickly and efficiently maintaining mission readiness.

“The training has went great the hook-up crews have improved,” said Beasley. “They continue to build the muscle memory for the upcoming mission as we get a chance to build our muscle memory being able to be a part of interactive training.”

• Date Taken: 12.12.2018
• Date Posted: 01.10.2019 14:32
• Story ID: 306649
• Location: HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, US