Photo By Sgt. Jessica DuVernay | Three AH-64E Apache Guardians from 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat...... read more read more
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WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – AH-64E Apache Guardian pilots from 1st Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, spent the past three weeks conducting in depth training in preparation for flying in Hawaii.
Training focused on safety and Hawaii airspace laws in preparation for the Apache unit's first exercise where they are scheduled to participate with the U.S. Navy in Rim of the Pacific 2014.
“Since we are out of Fort Carson, Colo., we are used to high altitude and mountainous environments,” said Capt. Nathan Peper, commander for Company A, 1-25 ARB. “So from there we had to prep for Hawaii with academics and the simulator preparing us to be at lower elevations and altitudes along with maritime operations and operating at sea level.”
One aspect of the pilots training was learning to safely exit an aircraft that has landed in water by using the modular amphibious egress trainer on Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe.
“We start in the shallow end to get them used to the shock of breathing upside down in the water, it’s probably one of the hardest things someone could do in their life,” said Chad Margo, site manager of the HELO Dunker on MCBH. “It is very unnatural. It’s more of a survival skill, in case they do go down. It gives them the tools they need to escape.”
In the event of an emergency, the pilots are taught to stay calm in order to quickly and effectively escape from a downed aircraft in a water situation.
“This training is important because we are learning what to do in case of an accident," said 1st Lt. Amber Robertson, 25th CAB. "This training teaches us how to keep our wits and how to use the special equipment and how to exit the helicopter in a safe manner. It also gives us confidence so that we don’t panic during a situation.”
Along with over and underwater training, pilots also participated in local area orientation flights to learn appropriate airspace routes.
Before flying their own aircraft, the Apache pilots flew as passengers in UH-60 Black Hawks and OH-58 Kiowa Warriors to familiarize themselves with proper flight routes.
The pilots then flew their Apaches under escort from experienced Kiowa pilots from 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th CAB, to finalize their local area orientation training.
“We conduct these LAO’s to minimize airspace violations while we are here on the island,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Elliott Boyles, maintenance test pilot, 1-25 ARB.
While the unit is here, they will take advantage of training events they would normally not participate in due to their geographical location.
“We are also going to work on some deck landing qualifications and some gunnery as well,” explained Peper. “We are really excited to be here, to be a part of the CAB and part of 25th ID and this is a great opportunity to train.”
| Date Taken: | 06.27.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2014 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 134887 |
| Location: | WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, HI, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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