Photo By Sgt. Jonathan Thibault | Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Sutton, middle, brigade aviation maintenance officer,...... read more read more
FORT CARSON, COLO. - Soldiers with the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, gave tours and briefings to members of the Colombian Army to facilitate a working relationship to help improve their aviation program May 18-21, 2015.
"Currently, we are trying to transform our structure," said Brig. Gen. Emiro Barrios, Colombian Army Aviation commander. "Fort Carson and 4th CAB (were) a great starting point for us to learn how a United States aviation component functions in terms of organization, procedures, tactics, techniques and implementing plans. We are very enthusiastic about applying what we've learned during our visit when we get back to Colombia."
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Brian Sutton, brigade aviation maintenance officer, 4th CAB, said the visit was more than just showing equipment that would help the Colombian Army Aviation organization become more mobile.
"The visit helps them gather important aviation information that can expedite their maintenance capabilities which, in turn, will help them get equipment that is more transportable and flexible for the battlefield," said Sutton. "We also briefed them about high-altitude aviation techniques which is perfect because Colorado's terrain is similar to Colombia's."
Sutton said the Colombian Army Aviation members were happy with the equipment and systems they were shown.
"They liked our modular tool rooms because of its mobility, ability to expand and collapse for easier transport, and can be deployed anywhere to allow maintainers to fix aviation equipment," said Sutton. "They also liked our maintenance tracking software which keeps organized documentation of maintenance done to the aircraft."
Sutton said although there was a language barrier, he still felt a strong sense of camaraderie.
"I don't speak Spanish very (well) and the majority didn't speak English very well, but we have a common bond as military members of aviation and understand how aviation provides protection for our people locally and abroad. The language barrier was there but through aviation we speak the same language."
Both aviation organizations agreed their relationship will grow significantly over the coming years due to the courtesies shown between the two parties.
"Day by day we are strengthening our relationships," said Barrios. "I project we will have a very interesting future in peacekeeping operations with the U.S. We have been in conflicts in Colombia for more than 50 years, and this relationship allows for a new environment of opportunities to collaborate and apply our aviation techniques together."
Sutton echoed Barrios' sentiment.
"It's great to see an allied partnership form across national borders," said Sutton. "North America and South America could have to fight in a global war one day and it's good to build those bonds and partnerships. This would allow us to work together smoothly by knowing each other's capabilities when working on a joint task."
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.07.2015 17:21 |
| Story ID: | 169326 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 34 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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