Photo By Brian G. Rhodes | Soldiers assigned to the 53rd Movement Control Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade, run...... read more read more
FORT EUSTIS, Va. - On a grassy field no larger than a baseball diamond, a group of soldiers waits on an Army Humvee rigged to move. What feels like a rustling of the breeze quickly becomes billowing winds as a Chinook helicopter rapidly descends to their location. In less than 30-seconds, the soldiers are off the vehicle and it is lifted into the air.
More than 50 cargo specialists assigned to the 53rd Movement Control Battalion, 7th Sustainment Brigade trained on slingload operations on Felker Army Airfield, last month.
Army cargo specialists are trained to prepare, rig and load equipment for transport by rail, ground, sea and air. They can be found in most military transportation centers around the world. While some soldiers are unfamiliar with slingload operations and procedures, the skill has a very real application to the fight in Afghanistan.
“Even though this is a level-one skill for most cargo specialists, it’s not a skill they will use unless they are in a deployed environment,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Wilkins, a platoon sergeant assigned to the 567th Inland Cargo Transfer Company, 53rd MC Bn., 7th Sustainment Brigade. “It’s application in Afghanistan is to quickly and safely move equipment ranging from vehicles to food and ammunition to remote areas that cannot be accessed by other transportation assets.”
The day’s training began with lessons in basic slingload theory. Soldiers studied the capabilities of Army rotary aircraft, how to prepare for cargo movement, load theory, and methods of rigging unconventional loads. Their instruction was accompanied by hands-on rigging and inspection training on a Humvee.
As they became proficient in preparing their vehicle for slingload, the time came to put their skills to practice. Teams of four soldiers took turns waiting on top of the Humvee, hooking it to a Chinook, dismounting the vehicle and moving to safety. As the soldiers moved away, many were unprepared for the powerful rotor-wash delivered by the helicopter, said Wilkins.
“If these troops can handle this Chinook, they can handle anything,” Wilkins said. “They have been training for this exercise for a month and their preparation showed today. Everyone displayed a high level of motivation and got the training done.”
The day was not yet over for these Soldiers, even if the training was. One soldier decided this was the perfect time to show their continued dedication to the Army, while flying in a Chinook helicopter. Spc. Tequana Marcelle, an automated supply specialist assigned to the 567th ICTC, re-enlisted while hovering over the airfield.
“I really enjoy my job and I want to continue with my career,” said Marcelle. “The Army is a great organization that I think everyone should experience at least once.”
Slingload missions are very prevalent throughout Afghanistan. Soldiers assigned to sustainment or transportation units can be called at any time to deploy and serve with one of these teams. It is their responsibility to answer that call and hook their cargo up.
| Date Taken: | 09.19.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2012 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 96009 |
| Location: | FORT EUSTIS, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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