449th CAB conducts aerial gunnery

Photo By Maj. Briana McFarland | A mild fire was caused by aerial gunnery Oct. 27, 2017, which temporarily halted operations at Fort Sill Oklahoma. (U.S. Army National Guard photo taken by Sgt. Mara Budweg, Iowa National Guard)  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

11.13.2017

Story by Capt. Briana McFarland 

449th Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT HOOD, Texas – U.S. Army National Guard Soldiers with the 1-126th General Aviation Support Battalion, and 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion, assigned to the 449th Combat Aviation Brigade, prepare for mobilization to the Middle East by conducting aerial gunnery from mid-October to early November at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

Although there are no organic aviation units assigned to Fort Sill, Henry Post Army Airfield, opened in 1917, is the longest continuously open airfield in the continental United States.

The aerial gunnery training includes support operations utilizing the Forward Army and Refueling Point, airfield management and aviation maintenance.

“Post-mobilization training at Fort Sill is important because it allows us to exercise distributed command using various geographical locations to more closely simulate the operational environment in Iraq,” said the Standardization Officer and Senior Pilot Instructor, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Tom McAuliffe.

For the 449th CAB, this training is important because the battalions are working together for the first time, and it is crucial they establish a battle rhythm and operate efficiently.

Helicopter crewmembers in UH-60 Black Hawks and CH-47 Chinooks engage targets through door gunnery with an M-240H machine gun. Their exercise includes ground tables, in-route tables, and engagements within a landing zone.

Aerial gunnery exercises are important because it increases the proficiency of the rated crewmembers and allows them to know the limitations of their weapons and enhance positive threat identification while overseas.

The Alpha Company, 1-126th GSAB Commander Eric Beauregard feels the same way.

“This opportunity refines crew synergy and the skills they need to optimize mission readiness and provides a force multiplier for our ground forces that depends on support from above,” said Beauregard.

The 449th Combat Aviation Brigade is an Army National Guard unit headquartered in North Carolina. The unit is scheduled to deploy later this year in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield in the Middle East.

• Date Taken: 11.13.2017
• Date Posted: 11.13.2017 10:26
• Story ID: 255105
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US