3CAB trains with 2IBCT

Photo By Staff Sgt. Kellen Stuart | UH-60 Black Hawk pilots and crew of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment conduct an air assault into a training area on Fort Stewart, Georgia Feb 24. Soldiers from 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team started a field training exercise that tests the basic skills of reacting to indirect fire, requesting close air support and ground support. (US Army photo by Sgt. Kellen Stuart, 3rd CAB Public Affairs)  

HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, UNITED STATES

02.27.2017

Story by Sgt. Kellen Stuart 

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade

A squad waits in cover as the aircraft approaches and lands. Once the aircraft crew chief gives the signal, the squad makes a beeline to the aircraft and upon entering the squad leader counts the members of the squad. Everyone is accounted for and they continue their mission.

Training is an important aspect of readiness; familiarization of tactics and procedures when entering and exiting an aircraft makes for a smoother transportation of troops for pilots and crew of the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade.

Squads throughout 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team trained on cold and hot loading into 3rd CAB CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawks February 23-24 at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

“Cold load training is static, which helps Soldiers become familiar with the aircraft without the stress of noise or adrenaline from a mission,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Richard Deaton, a pilot with Company B, 4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment. “Utilizing the crawl, walk, run phases of training builds confidence in the Soldiers ability to conduct an air assault.”

Safety is also a factor in the crawl phase of training, Deaton explained. Trainers give an overview of the safety considerations, which emphasizes the importance to stay clear of the rotating blades on the aircraft as well as weapon safety of the individual’s weapon and door gunners’ weapon.

Practicing cold loading into the aircraft and providing security after exiting ensures that Soldiers are proficient in the training and ready to engage an enemy, said Staff Sgt. Bradon Roberts, an infantry squad leader with Company A, 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 2IBCT. Some of the newer infantrymen haven’t been on any aircraft before so training with the aircraft puts the tactics learned prior into perspective for them.

Additionally, the walk and run phases of training continue with hot loading into the aircraft, said Deaton. When hot loading, Soldiers have the added stress of the noise and mechanics of the aircraft as well as the stress of an objective to complete the mission.

Overall, the training was successful, said Sgt. 1st Class Vernon McNabb, UH-60 Black Hawk crew chief with Company A, 2nd Bn., 3rd Aviat. Reg. When it was time to perform, Soldiers were able to flow right into the aircraft while conducting the appropriate safety checks.

“It is easier to train with the aircraft and having the hands-on experience of entering and exiting the Black Hawk instead of only talking about it,” said Pfc. Ryan Diacovo, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Bn., 30th Inf. Reg., 2IBCT.

This training helps build the experience needed to train Soldiers in the future, added Diacovo.

• Date Taken: 02.27.2017
• Date Posted: 02.27.2017 15:03
• Story ID: 225070
• Location: HUNTER ARMY AIRFIELD, GA, US