Time to shine

Photo By Sgt. Jesse Smith | Spc. Perry Bishop, an armament/electrical/avionics repairer from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, writes down the fuel and ammunitions that were loaded onto a helicopter June 25 at the forward arming and refueling point on the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in the Republic of Korea. As the pad leader, Bishop had to have quantity control of all of the equipment in his area.  

PYEONGTAEK, 41, SOUTH KOREA

06.30.2015

Story by Chung Il Kim 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea - Four OH-58 Kiowa’s hovered the sky of the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex. Like a dragonfly landing on a tree, a Kiowa helicopter landed on a Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) pad.

Despite the blades’ strong wind mixed with grass and dust, two Soldiers each with red and yellow helmets quickly ran toward the helicopter and communicated with a special sign language. Now knowing what the aircraft needed the Soldiers went into action refueling and arming the bird. As the Soldiers gave a thumbs up, the aircraft flew away into the mountains. It all happened within a few minutes.

“This is our time to shine,” said Spc. Perry Bishop, an armament/electrical/avionics repairer from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade.

As a pad chief charged with maintenance and safety, Bishop had a lot on his plate to include keeping track of every detail of checks and assigning jobs to the Soldiers under him in an effective manner June 25 at the forward arming and refueling point on the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in the Republic of Korea.

“For gunnery, we prepare a month prior to the exercise,” Bishop explained. “We prepare for gun services two weeks before the training, and we prepare as many service kits as possible.”

As he spoke, Bishop took out his pen and notepad and started to jot down the serial numbers of ammunitions and other details about the check. According to Bishop, time management is the most difficult aspect of his job.

“We have so many tasks at hand, so we do day and night shift for 12 hours each in order to make ourselves functional during key exercises,” Bishop said.

Sgt. Douglas Koenen, another armament/electronics/avionics repairer from the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, spoke about how proud he was of Bishop.

“Spc. Bishop is responsible for Soldiers, and he makes sure that everything at the pad is perfect,” said Koenen.

When not in a field environment, Bishop said he is a hardcore fan of extreme training to push his physical strength and mental toughness to the limit. Bishop participated in the squadron’s last Spur Ride and Best Warrior Competition. He even won the unit’s “Desperado of the Month” competition, which included a triathlon consisting of a two-mile assault pack run, four-mile bike ride and 200m swim. Bishop now plans to go to the Army Ranger School once he gets to his next unit.

• Date Taken: 06.30.2015
• Date Posted: 06.30.2015 03:29
• Story ID: 168565
• Location: PYEONGTAEK, 41, KR