Hook up, move out

Photo By Staff Sgt. Jared Crain | Soldiers with the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 10th Mountain Division, prepare to attach up a cargo net to a CH-47 Chinook flown by aviators of 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation Brigade, during a sling load training exercise at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Nov 5. The training gave both units the opportunity team up and maintain proficiency rigging assembling and hooking up external cargo for transport. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Crain, USARCENT Public Affairs)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

11.10.2015

Story by Sgt. Youtoy Martin 

U.S. Army Central   

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait — Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 135th General Support Aviation Brigade, teamed up with the 10th Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division to practice sling load operations here Nov. 5.

The 10th BSB Soldiers attached heavy cargo nets filled with supplies to the bottom of CH-47 Chinook helicopters hovering just overhead.

“We have done sling load training in the past, but today’s training focused on [operations] with a 10k cargo net,” said Sgt. 1st Class Kelly Garcia, a motor sergeant with 2-135th GSAB. “This gave our air assault qualified personnel the chance to inspect the load and make sure it was ready for transport.”

Garcia added that working on their ability to communicate with the aircrew was an essential part of the training.

This exercise was the first time some Soldiers had the opportunity to take part in a full-scale sling load operation.

“I have been through the classroom training before, but this was the first time I’ve been able to do it hands-on,” said Spc. Jeffrey Linscomb, with 2-135 GSAB. “It was exciting, you don’t really realize how big and powerful the aircraft is until you’re right under it trying to hook-up a load.”

The pilots of the CH-47 Chinook used in the training, Chief Warrant Officer 2 James Fennessy and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clint Moore, both with 2-135 GSAB, found the training a great way to stay ready for possible missions in the area.

“This training helps us with aircrew coordination, they are the ones actually calling the directions,” said Fennessy. “We can’t see the load getting hooked up to the aircraft from the cockpit, we are depending on those guys. We have to listen to the crew chiefs and watch the hand and arm signals from the guys on the ground to know when everything is secure.”

Sling load operations give pilots the chance to work on situational awareness. It’s important not to miss the drop point while transporting a load and plan the routes to not fly over anything of value or people, said Moore.

“At a moment’s notice, we can deploy to support Soldiers throughout the USARCENT theater” said Moore. “Sling loading is one of our basic tasks coming out of flight school. Being able to conduct multiple iterations also prepares us as pilots for our annual hands-on evaluation. We can effectively move freight anywhere in our area of operations.”

For Soldiers of the 10th BSB, the partnered training was great for everyone to gain hands-on experience, while improving their proficiency at preparing cargo net loads.

“This training gives us hands-on experience to be ready to transport supplies to forward bases,” said Capt. Brian Knotts, commander of A Company, 10th BSB.

If the ability to transport supplies by ground was not possible, the task would be on us, said Knotts. Adding that they have to be ready to sling load many different kinds of supplies.

“This training allows my guys to be proficient so when we are called upon for huge sling missions, we are ready to execute,” said Knotts. “If we have 15 pallets of supplies to deliver in under an hour, my guys are able to rig, assemble, inspect and have the cargo ready for transport within 10 minutes.”

• Date Taken: 11.10.2015
• Date Posted: 11.10.2015 10:15
• Story ID: 181532
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW