National Guard conducts sling load training

Photo By Sgt. Avery Cunningham | A Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance) Soldier checks below during sling load training at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., July 31, 2015. This sling load exercise is part of the defense support of civil authorities training the Soldiers are taking part in. (Photos by U.S. Army National Guard Pvt. Avery Cunningham)  

CAMP JOHNSON, VT, UNITED STATES

07.31.2015

Story by Pvt. Avery Cunningham 

172nd Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP JOHNSON, Vt. - Overhead the dull buzzing grew into a thunderous roar as Black Hawks flew in to pick up a trailer during sling load operations at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont, July 31, 2015. Vermont Army National Guard Medical Detachment and Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 126th Aviation Regiment (Air Ambulance) Soldiers conducted sling load exercises as part of defense support of civil authorities training.

"The sling load is meant for transporting cargo from point A to point B by helicopter and that's useful in a situation where supplies or equipment need to be quickly relocated and there wasn't a viable ground method or time available to do so," said Cpt. Bob Burke, C/3-126th AVN (AA) commander.

The training serves to familiarize troops with sling loading.

"The intent of the training is to train other units within the Vermont Army National Guard, specifically the Med. Det., on helicopter sling load operations to include hand and arm signals and hooking up the sling load to the aircraft as a part of the ground team," said Burke.

Furthermore, the exercise allows the Black Hawk pilots to recertify in sling loading.

"This is our sling load recertification," said 1st Sgt. Burt Severin, C/3-126th AVN (AA) 1st Sgt. "Pilots are required to do so many sling loads per a year."

It's a risky maneuver that requires the pilots to be weary and to pay attention to ground troops below them, said Severin.

The ability to perform sling loads serves an important purpose for the National Guard.

"The capability to do a sling load is important for humanitarian efforts during a natural disaster or for moving loads in a combat environment," said Severin.

In the event that roads are not accessible, sling loading allows the National Guard to deliver supplies to people who have no access to them, said Burke.

The familiarization training that ground troops like the Med. Det. receives gives the National Guard more capable Soldiers to safely assist in sling load operations.

Safety is paramount in the National Guard, so besides training to familiarize troops, the load must also be certified by a sling load inspector, said Severin.

The defense support of civil authorities exercises train Soldiers for support and relief missions during an emergency situation. Sling load training is not just an easy way to move stuff; it's an important and quick operation.

• Date Taken: 07.31.2015
• Date Posted: 08.04.2015 11:13
• Story ID: 172087
• Location: CAMP JOHNSON, VT, US