12th Combat Aviation Brigade supports 173rd with new Chinooks

Photo By Thomas Mort | Paratroopers from 173rd Airborne Brigade load into a CH-47F MYII Chinook Helicopter for their training jump. The 12th Combat Aviation Brigade sent two of the new Chinook Helicopters to support 280 Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, for airborne training at the Grafenwoehr Training Area - Bunker DZ, in Germany, Aug. 31, 2015. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Mort)  

GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, GERMANY

08.31.2015

Story by Sgt. Thomas Mort 

12th Combat Aviation Brigade

GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, Germany -- 12th Combat Aviation Brigade sent two CH-47F MYII Chinook Helicopters to support 280 Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 91st Cavalry Regiment, 173rd Airborne Brigade, for airborne training here, Aug. 31, at the Grafenwoehr Training Area - Bunker DZ, in Germany.

The 173rd Airborne Brigade ("Sky Soldiers"), based in Vicenza, Italy, is the Army Contingency Response Force in Europe, and is capable of projecting ready forces in 18 hours or less to conduct the full of range of military operations across the United States European, Central and Africa Commands areas of responsibility.

"We're out here today supporting 1st of the 91st Cavalry Regiment, in their air drops so they can maintain their airborne proficiency and currency with jumps," said Chief Warrant Officer Lucas Odum, a CH-47 pilot for Hotel Company 1st Bn., 214th Avn. Regt. ("Big Windy"). "For us it's good to be able to come out and support these units that are here in Europe."

Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade are currently deployed throughout Europe as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve, an ongoing, multinational partnership focused on joint training and security cooperation between the U.S. and other NATO allies. As the Army's only forward-stationed airborne brigade, paratroopers from the 173rd live and train alongside NATO allies daily.

The new CH-47F MYII Chinook helicopters increase the 12th CAB's freedom of movement throughout the European theater. The Chinook, the Army's only heavy-lift helicopter, is a critical asset for transporting troops, supplies, and providing various combat support and combat service support operations.

The 12th CAB trains and conducts Aviation Operations across the Range of Military Operation in support of United States Army Europe, European Command, NATO, and in support of CENTCOM and AFRICOM and other contingency locations around the globe.

• Date Taken: 08.31.2015
• Date Posted: 12.18.2015 16:40
• Story ID: 184952
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR TRAINING AREA, DE