Paratroopers Have Faith at Swift Response

GERMANY

06.25.2016

Story by Sgt. Juan F. Jimenez 

1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division Public Affairs

They travel with military units across the world. They serve beside them in combat and they even exit a C-17 aircraft. These fine Paratroopers are known as the Unit Ministry Team (UMT) or chaplain’s assistants.

The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Unity Ministry Team, alongside other Paratroopers from the 82nd Abn. Div., crossed the continent and traveled 4,600 miles from Fort Bragg, N.C., to Torun, Poland, for a historical jump, June 7th, 2016.

“This is the largest exercise in Poland in many decades,” said Gen. Mark A. Milley, the U.S. Army Chief of Staff. “The overall concept of operation for Anakonda and for NATO is defensive in nature. These exercises emphasize tactical and operational tasks paratroopers would be required to do if this were real. The scenario itself is completely made up and is all about increasing the defensive capabilities of the NATO alliance.”

For the past 100 years Army chaplain’s assistants have been protecting and teaming up with chaplains to provide religious support for Paratroopers and their families across the army and military operations.

Since chaplains are non-combatants, their assistant provides force protection for them during airborne operations.

For one young Paratrooper, being a chaplain’s assistant has been a rewarding job.

Staff Sgt. Eric Hebing, Brigade Chaplain’s Assistant for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1BCT, 82nd Abn, Div., says he takes his responsibilities seriously, and that it is more than just a job in the Army.

“It’s rewarding to see Paratroopers get the help and assistance they need,” said Hebing.

Hebing, a native of Rochester, N.Y., says he enlisted in the military 7 years ago with the hopes of being in the infantry. Those dreams were diminished when he found out he wasn’t able to do so.

However, that small hurdle did not stop Hebing from pursuing a rewarding career.

He is presently engaged in one of the biggest military exercises in Poland, providing assistance to the ministry team, to Paratroopers, and to their allied partners.

After being alerted of the upcoming mission, Hebing spent his last few hours conducting checks on his equipment and ensuring he was prepared before loading a C-17 Globemaster aircraft.

The Paratroopers were about to take a 10-hour flight to Torun, Poland.

In flight, Hebing and other Paratroopers rigged their combat equipment, donned parachutes and were inspected by the jumpmaster team. 

With camouflage paint on their faces, and more than 100 pounds of equipment strapped to their bodies, the Paratroopers waited for the green light, which signals the proper time to exit the aircraft.

“Green light Go, Go, Go,” said the jumpmaster.

“Its a thrilling feeling exiting the aircraft,” said Hebing. “It makes all the waiting and preparation all worth while for the thirty-seconds of rush and the thrill of the ride.”

The 82nd Airborne dropped more than 600 Paratroopers in Poland 25 hours after notification of the mission, according to Lt. Col. Joe Buccino, 82nd Abn. Div. Public Affairs officer. 



“This shows the capability of the 82nd Airborne Division, which is the land component of the Global Response Force,” said Buccino.

The global response mission requires the division to deploy an element within 18 hours after notification. Exercise Anakonda 2016, a Polish-led, multinational exercise running from June 7-17, involves approximately 25,000 participants from more than 20 nations and is a premier training event for U.S. Army Europe.

"On this exercise and outside the wire, it is my responsibility to ensure the safety of the chaplain if things go south,” said Hebing.

Hebing must be able to perform and stay current with units’ battle drills and standard operating procedures to be able to provide protection for his boss, the brigade chaplain.

“His life is in my hands and it's my responsibility to protect him,” he continued.

Chaplain’s assistants aren't bodyguards, but their primary objective is to protect the chaplain while being a friend to the Paratroopers.

Once safe on ground, Hebing takes the time to approach other Paratroopers to see if they are okay.

"It can get really tough during training or in combat,” said Hebing.

Part of Hebing’s job is to pre-counsel Paratroopers and help them with personal problems by directing them to the appropriate subject matter experts such as the chaplain, psychologist, combat stress team, or even on the phone with a counselor.

According to Hebing, to be a successful chaplain’s assistant you must be willing to sacrifice your personal time and get to know as much as you can about your Paratroopers and the problems they face.

"It’s my job to be there for Paratroopers that need an encouraging word, assist the chaplain in bringing a strong and effective ministry to the unit, and in this joint task force, to help any service-member with guidance and prayer,” said Hebing.

• Date Taken: 06.25.2016
• Date Posted: 06.25.2016 04:41
• Story ID: 202468
• Location: DE