Photo By Spc. Jessica Luhrs-Stabile | Thirty-five ‘Provider’ soldiers, representing all of the companies of 501st...... read more read more
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EL PASO, Texas - Delivering supplies to soldiers, deployed in austere conditions, is not only dangerous for soldiers, who need supplies, but also for those delivering supplies; especially if the soldiers are in the harsh and hostile environmental conditions of Afghanistan. This is why soldiers of 501st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, are making sure they have the most recent training, for the aerial delivery of supplies.
Thirty-five "Provider" soldiers, representing all of the companies of 501st BSB, recently participated in Low-Cost, Low-Altitude Aerial Delivery System training, with the 15th Sustainment Brigade, and made history by being the first soldiers on Fort Bliss to complete a LCLA drop from a CH-47 Chinook, near Fort Bliss, Feb. 24.
According to 1st Lt. Adrian Rosado, the officer-in-charge of the training, this training was an introduction to different forms of aerial delivery.
“During the training, soldiers learned how to rig, inspect and sling load equipment to include the five and 10K cargo net, the A22 Cargo Bag, the water/fuel blivet, and an a M1097A2 Humvee. They also learned the rigging procedures for an LCLA load,” he said.
Following the week-long training, excitement was in the air, when the Chinook flew in and the soldiers were able to put their skills to the test.
As soon as the CH-47 landed, three soldiers carried their load of Meals Ready to Eat and Water to the back of the Chinook and assisted the crew chiefs in loading the supplies. After making a large circle around the soldiers the CH-47 dropped the load, right on target.
“We are making history here,” said the "Provider" Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. Kenneth J. Coon, who plans to frame the parachute in the battalion area.
He then explained why this training is such a critical skill for his soldiers.
“Our soldiers will be able to deliver supplies with less risk, during the deployment,” said Coon, who observed the training and the first LCLA drop. “Having this skill will save the lives of soldiers because they will not be on the roads trying to deliver supplies.”
In addition to this method being safer, Coon explained, the Provider soldiers are now capable of delivering supplies to any terrain condition on the battlefield, to include drops on; hillsides, mountain tops, and valleys.
“This training will assist them in executing aerial delivery operations safely and efficiently to support the soldiers in remote outposts,” he said.
Rosado, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, also said the training is significant due to the fact that aerial delivery is one of the primary modes of transportation in Afghanistan and is faster than the standard Combat Logistical Support.
“As the brigade starts preparing for deployment this training will assist in supporting units that are in immediate need of supplies,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 02.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 12:27 |
| Story ID: | 84566 |
| Location: | EL PASO, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 149 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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