Photo By Staff Sgt. Ryan Tatum | A mobile training team from the U.S. Army National Guard’s Warrior Training Center...... read more read more
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While the majority of the Soldiers from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division were getting ready to return to Fort Stewart at the end of a 6-month rotation in Europe, five Raider Brigade Soldiers took the opportunity to challenge themselves while earning the Air Assault badge at Camp Aachen, Germany.
The course was offered through a mobile training team from the U.S. Army National Guard’s Warrior Training Center out of Fort Benning, Georgia.
Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Koth, the noncommissioned officer-in-charge for the Air Assault cadre, said from the first day the course challenges Soldiers physically and mentally, starting with the prerequisites required to make the course, which include a two-mile run and an obstacle course.
“On zero day, the individuals get a lot of physical training sessions in the morning," said Koth. "Once the Soldiers complete the two-mile run in the allotted time, Soldiers will proceed to the Air Assault obstacle course. The Soldiers will have nine obstacles to complete, two major and two minor obstacles, which both must be completed in order for the Soldier to receive a go."
Soldiers do not officially start the Air Assault course until they have completed all of the prerequisites.
Once completed, they start the three phases of the course.
“We get them going from a bunch of individuals to working as a team in one cohesive unit,” said Koth.
The first phase is the combat assault phase, where Soldiers receive instruction on the various aspects of combat air assault, to include aircraft orientation, aircraft safety, aero-medical evacuation, pathfinder operations, combat assault, and hand and arm signals.
After testing out of the first phase, Soldiers continue to the second phase and learn about sling load operations.
“Sling load is the hardest phase of Air Assault school,” said Koth. “On average, 1-in-10 Soldiers fail that portion of the school.”
Soldiers receive instruction on preparing, rigging, and inspecting various military sling loads during this phase. They must pass a written and a hands-on test, identifying three out of four deficiencies on the hands-on portion, to receive a go and continue to the third phase.
Sgt. Nicholas Edwards, a quartermaster and chemical equipment repairer with the 10th Engineer Battalion, said the second phase was the hardest phase of the Air Assault course.
“Paying attention to detail; touch what you see and see what you touch,” said Edwards.
“The whole school is attention to detail, but this particular phase is the most difficult, because the smallest deficiencies could result in catastrophic effects on the aircraft.”
Soldiers who passed the sling load phase moved onto the final phase, rappelling, arguably the most enjoyable part for those Soldiers without a fear of heights.
In this phase, Soldiers receive instruction on tying a rappel seat, hook-up techniques, lock-in procedures, belay procedures, and rappelling.
Soldiers repel from a tower anywhere from 34 to 64 feet in height, depending on the tower.
The Soldiers must also complete a 12-mile road march within three hours before they are able to graduate and earn the coveted Air Assault badge.
Spc. Ryan Skinner, a mortarman with Troop C, 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment, was thankful for the opportunity to take the course before going back to Fort Stewart.
“Air Assault School with the Warrior Training Center was a great experience,” said Skinner. “The cadre came in strong with day zero, and throughout the course they taught us a lot.”
Edwards said the course not only challenged him to become a better Soldier and leader, but it will also benefit his unit.
“The training was tough and I have learned a lot about myself in the process of training, both physically and mentally,” said Edwards. “This training teaches us how to be an asset to our unit.”
| Date Taken: | 09.27.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.27.2016 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 210745 |
| Location: | CAMP AACHEN, DE |
| Web Views: | 320 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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