Task Force Atlas conducts DART mission training

Courtesy Photo | Spc. David Washington, supply specialist with Alpha Company, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to fires a M203 Grenade Launcher during advance weapons training at Eat River Range in northeastern Afghanistan.  

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AFGHANISTAN

06.15.2007

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – Task Force Atlas conducted a simulated Down Aircraft Recovery Team mission while deployed to a combat zone en-route to a weapons systems firing range.

"In the event there is an accident or mishap, it is our mission to conduct a DART mission to go out and recover that aircraft," said 1st Sgt. Antonio Duchatelier, Bravo Company, 122nd Aviation Support Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade. "Whether catastrophic or minor maintenance, if the aircraft is outside its base, we will go out and get it."

In keeping the scenario as real as possible, paratroopers secured the site with a nine vehicle convoy, including a crane, sling and other equipment while a team of seven Paratroopers led by Army Sgt. Brandon Adams, Chinook mechanic team chief, simulated maneuvers to extract the aircraft.

"We need to improve a little on the safety portion of execution [and] the operation went off a little rushed, probably due to the real world pressures of being in Afghanistan, said Chief Warrant Officer Andrew Russell, platoon leader and electronic systems maintenance technician with Bravo Company. "Overall, the members worked well together and accomplished the mission."

"Realistic training in an environment with the pressures of real world missions in fixing a down aircraft through the planning and execution of tactical convoys and using our training in maintenance and replacement of major components such as the engine, that's the objective of the DART," said Spc. Lee Buller, Chinook mechanic with Company B.

After the completion of the DART training, more than 36 Paratroopers got the opportunity to fire advance crew-served weapons systems at East River Range near Bagram, Afghanistan. The AT4 anti-tank weapon, M2 machine gun, M249 machine gun, and the MK19 grenade launcher were used at the range to ensure Paratroopers maintain proficiency on these vital weapon systems.

As a major part of today's Army, crew-served weapons deliver armor piercing and high explosive munitions over a long range and to larger targets. In today's War on Terror, all Soldiers must be able to fire beyond the basics of the M-16 and M249 as their primary weapons.

"I'm ready to fire," said Army Pfc. Lewis Foutch as he waited for an opportunity to fire a MK19, M2 .50 caliber, and the AT4.

"We shot 9mm [ AT4 training simulator] rounds in basic, but this is the real thing and I'm excited to see that," Buller said.

"I've never done anything like this before. I never thought I would fire an AT4 in my life," said Spc. David Washington a supply specialist with Alpha Company.

"Everyone should get a chance to experience this."

• Date Taken: 06.15.2007
• Date Posted: 06.18.2007 11:12
• Story ID: 10878
• Location: BAGRAM AIR FIELD, AF