'War Eagles' keep National Training Center pilots fired up

Photo By Master Sgt. Tyrone Marshall | Sgt. Jessie Hildreth and Sgt. Patrick Dombroski, forward observers, Headquarters, and Headquarters Company, Combat Aviation Brigade, "War Eagles" of 25th CAB, wait patiently to turn in their vehicle as they wind down 30 days of training at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., Oct 25, 2008. Both Soldiers served in Task Force "Hammerhead's" Fires Cell during 25th CAB's final rotation to NTC.  

UNITED STATES

11.04.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Tyrone Marshall 

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By Staff Sgt. Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
25th Combat Aviation Brigade

FORT IRWIN, Calif. – The 25th Combat Aviation Brigade recently completed multiple rotations to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.

2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 3rd Battalion, 25th Avn. Regt., and 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regt., served as task force headquarters augmented by Soldiers from the 209th Aviation Support Battalion. Hidden amongst the battalions stands the lone Headquarters and Headquarters Company, known as the "War Eagles."

Although they are the "Wings of Lightning" Brigade's smallest element they were able to contribute to the brigade's efforts at NTC.

Even with a just a fraction of the unit involved, the War Eagles of HHC provided meaningful resources to the task forces working in the Fires Cell.

"Our main responsibilities for the Fires Cell and HHC was to brief pilots on indirect fires capabilities of friendly forces, keep track of what the planned fires were and keeping all our friendly assets available to the pilots so they knew where our guns were when they flew," said Sgt. Patrick Dombroski, a forward observer.

Dombroski, along with Sgt. Jessie Hildreth, Pfc. Jordan Metcalf and Pvt. Jimmy Dean, brought fire support to the task force headquarters. The NCOs marveled at the realism of the training and used the rotation as an opportunity to get their junior Soldiers some field experience as they prepare for their own NTC rotation and deployment.

"It's been a good experience all around," said Hildreth. "It's been good training and has a very real feeling. It really feels like being deployed. They couldn't get it any more real. As far as I'm concerned, it's been like being deployed for 30 days."

"I'd agree with Sgt. Hildreth. It's the most realistic training they could possibly give us," said Dombroski, a native of Kingston, Pa. "It's a chance for a lot of the junior Soldiers to learn what a deployment is like – packing all your bags, the plane ride over here and in-processing and actually going out. It is good training."

Although the training was challenging, the "War Eagles" represented and faced very few difficulties due to preparation and technical expertise as they interacted with units external to the 25th CAB and the 25th Infantry Division. They even experienced the NTC ritual as they waited in seemingly endless lines to turn in vehicles and equipment.

"Its just like anything once you do it twice, it gets easier the second time even though I've already deployed," said Hildreth, a native of Weirton, West Va. "I've never been here before so now I know the scoop, I know how things go."

With their NTC experience behind them and the advantage of realistic training for their Soldiers, the team of forward observers ensured the "War Eagles" contribution to the 25th CAB's efforts to assist in training 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division for their impending deployment.

"I think any Soldier can take away from this a great experience, a great time in the field and, overall, there's nothing better that's going to prepare for an Iraq or Afghanistan rotation to NTC," concluded Dombroski.

• Date Taken: 11.04.2008
• Date Posted: 11.04.2008 16:39
• Story ID: 25920
• Location: US