Air assault mission builds confidence in Commandos

Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | CaptionSoldiers of Apache Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and15th Iraqi Army Brigade Commando Company unload a UH-60 Black Hawk, flown by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Wings of Lightning) out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, after completing their final air assault training mission, March 30, in Rubaydah, outside of Kirkuk, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

03.30.2010

Story by Pfc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division

KIRKUKK, Iraq - Adrenaline ran high as UH-60 Black Hawks landed on Patrol Base Doria and the Soldiers of Apache Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division and their partners with 15th Iraqi Army Brigade Commando Company, began their final air assault training mission, March 30 in Rubaydah, outside of Kirkuk, Iraq.

"The purpose of this mission is to prove the commandos are properly prepared when they have a real-life air assault mission," said Sgt. 1st Class Jared Stevens, a Southern Pines, N.C., native and platoon sergeant for Apache Troop.

Stevens, is on his second deployment to the Kirkuk area and said he's has seen a vast improvement in the IA soldiers.

"The Commandos are a perfect example; when I first saw them in 2003 they had no real training, just a title," he said. "Now they are soldiers and have proven they are ready to support their country."

According to 1st Lt. Galen Cipperly, platoon leader for Apache Troop, to prepare for this mission the commandos trained on reflexive firing, moving as a squad, loading and unloading a helicopter, safety in a helicopter and moving to an objective.

The skills these commandos obtained during training were put to the test during their air assault mission, March 30.

During this mission the commandos flew on two UH-60 Black Hawks, flown by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division (Wings of Lightning) out of Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii, to Rubaydah where they quickly unloaded the helicopters and set-up security while the Black Hawks took off again.

After the Black Hawks left, the commandos and troopers patrolled the village, talked to citizens and learned more about the needs of the area, according to Cipperly.

The completion of this exercise marked the end of training missions for these commandos. Now they will begin weekly missions in the area to practice their skills and to build relationships with the citizens of the area.

"We are all looking forward to the weekly missions," said Pishtiwan Tofiq, a vice officer with the commandos. "Now that we have done our job without any mistakes we are confident in ourselves to support our country."

• Date Taken: 03.30.2010
• Date Posted: 04.02.2010 10:53
• Story ID: 47602
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ