2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry keeps "birds" in the fight in Iraq

Photo By Sgt. Michael Alberts | Army aviators and crew members of 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry land two OH-58Ds "Kiowas" for refueling, reloading and a quick maintenance check between combat missions at Forward Operating Base Warrior, Kirkuk, Iraq.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

09.03.2006

Story by Spc. Michael Alberts 

3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

by Spc. Mike Alberts
3rd BCT, 25th ID PAO

KIRKUK, Iraq – The sound of rotor blades in the sky over an infantryman's shoulder is music to his ears. It's the sound of an OH-58D, also known as a Kiowa Warrior. When it appears on the scene, the enemy retreats ... period.

Attack helicopters are indispensable to the mission in Iraq, and not just for combat support but for intelligence as well. Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, attached to the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, are the ones tirelessly keeping attack and reconnaissance air elements in the sky over the Kirkuk Province. And they do it "24/7."

"We are contributing significantly to the fight, even though people may not see us," said Command Sgt. Major Alan R. Haynes, command sergeant major, 2-6. "For instance, people don't realize that every time we fly in support of a ground mission not one IED (improvised explosive device) has been placed or exploded," said Haynes.

"Also, we can send aircraft in support of 'troops in contact' within minutes," he continued. "Just knowing that you have those kinds of air resources helps the ground fighting tremendously."

According to Master Sgt. Joseph Pagliaro, noncommissioned officer-in-charge, S3, the "2-6 Aviation concept" is to have aircraft in the air at all times in support of troops on the ground. "The Kiowas will land, refuel, reload within minutes, and get back into the fight. We keep them going 24/7,'" said Pagliaro.

For lift support, a "sister battalion," the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation, is attached to 2-6 Cav. 2-25 contributes a compliment of UH-60Ls to the aviation mission. Commonly known as Blackhawks, UH-60s are used primarily for support and personnel transport missions.

Also and for the first time in the Army's history, a UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) company has been attached to the aviation brigade to compliment the unit's already diverse capabilities. "Logistically, it just makes more sense to have aviation folks who control airspace to be involved in the UAVs as opposed to the infantry," said Pagliaro.

In garrison, 2-6 is stationed at Wheeler Army Airfield, Hawaii. The unit brought its Headquarters and Headquarters, Alpha, Charlie, Delta and Echo Troops, and Bravo Co. 209 with them to Kirkuk to handle everything from "parts and pilots" to "bullets and beans."

"The support that our troop brings to the aviation mission is critical" said Sgt. 1st Class Bru Ronaldo, air component repair supervisor, 2-6. "They fly the missions and come to us whenever they need servicing, maintenance, repairs or parts so that they can do it all over again. Basically, any time an aircraft is needed, we make sure it's out there [for the brigade]," said Ronaldo.

"Infantry guys have told me, 'The best sound in the world is when we hear those [Kiowas] flying overhead' because of their outstanding firepower," said Staff Sgt. Thomas Coveney, aircraft maintainer, 2-6. "I stress to my Soldiers that the infantry guys require Kiowa support. They need us. We need to accomplish our mission so that they can accomplish theirs," said Coveney.

One of the 2-6 Soldiers who appreciates the importance of her role is Pvt.2 Natalia Sarceno, fueler, Echo Troop, 2-6.

"To be honest, I didn't like my job at all in AIT (advanced individual training)," said Sarceno. "But now that I'm at war doing my job, I love it," she said. "There is no better feeling than going home at the end of the day to sleep and knowing that we're all safer because those 'birds' are fueled-up and flying."

• Date Taken: 09.03.2006
• Date Posted: 09.29.2006 10:58
• Story ID: 7862
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ