Photo By Christopher Freeman | The cadre of the Fort Bragg Air Assault course pose in front of the new school sign,...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – The Fort Bragg, N.C. Air Assault course opened on Sept. 5, which no longer requires Fort Bragg soldiers to leave the installation for course attendance.
The purpose of Air Assault school is to train soldiers on missions performed by rotary wing aircraft.
The senior enlisted member of the XVIII Airborne Corps saw the need for a course at Fort Bragg to prepare rapidly deploying soldiers from Fort Bragg.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Isaia T. Vimoto felt that, with his prior experiences as the 1st Sgt. of the Sabalauski Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Ky, and through his experiences in the Army that air assault operations are being performed frequently,” said Capt. Matthew Smoose, commander of the Fort Bragg Air Assault Course. “Airborne operations are an important aspect to maintain, but we find our soldiers using this skill set more often. When you are downrange, you are always riding in helicopters or sling loading equipment for supply or movements. We have used those skills throughout the entire War on Terror.”
The Fort Bragg Air Assault course has a specific mission to train soldiers.
The mission of the Fort Bragg Air Assault Course is to train soldiers in air assault operations, sling-load operations, and rappelling. Upon graduation of the course, each soldier will be able to perform skills required to maximize use of helicopter assets in training and combat to support their unit’s operations.
Soldiers who are scheduled to attend the course must meet prerequisites 30-90 days out.
The prerequisites for the course are: The soldier must meet height and weight standards IAW Army Regulation 600-9, successfully pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, complete a 12-mile foot march, equipment inspection, have one year retainability, and a current physical for Soldiers 40 or over.
The course is broken down into three phases but before that, Soldiers must make it through Day Zero.
“It shows (the cadre) if the Soldier’s heart is in the course,” said Staff Sgt. Vladimir Ilin, an instructor at the Fort Bragg Air Assault Course. “ It involves physical training, a two-mile run in the Army Combat Uniform with tennis shoes, and a six-mile foot march.”
After students make it through Day Zero, Phase One begins.
“During Phase One, the students learn about the capabilities of different Army helicopters,” said Smoose. “The students will learn how much the helicopters can carry. It will also include learning how big a landing zone has to be, how many helicopters can operate on a landing zone, and proper markings of the site.”
Once students learn about the capabilities of different helicopters, Phase Two begins with the sling load operations.
“Phase Two deals with sling load operations,” said Smoose. “ The students learn how to rig and inspect equipment that has been rigged for sling load.”
Phase Two has proven to be the most challenging part of the entire course.
“The largest drop is from sling load operations,” said Ilin. “(Phase Two) has a 50-question test involving multiple numbers and weights. The students also have a hands-on test for inspecting sling loads. The students have to find three out of four deficiencies on the tested loads.”
The final phase, Phase Three, involves rappelling.
“Students will learn rappelling and how to tie a Swiss rappel seat,” said Smoose. “The students also gain confidence rappelling off a tower. Finally, students will rappel out of a (UH-60) Black Hawk helicopter.”
After the three phases, students who graduate will receive the Air Assault badge.
The Air Assault wings suggest flight and together with the helicopter symbolizes individual skills and qualifications in assault landings utilizing the helicopter.
Getting this course together took the help of units from across Fort Bragg.
“Getting this school going has been a large undertaking and could not of happened without the support of the XVIII Airborne Corps,” said Smoose.
The course will prepare soldiers for future operations.
The Air Assault course provides soldiers with the skills necessary to perform operations involving helicopters, which will improve combat readiness.
With the rapid deployment of Fort Bragg soldiers, this course is helping to expand their skill set.
| Date Taken: | 09.05.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.13.2013 11:26 |
| Story ID: | 113594 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 987 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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