Mobile Training Team brings Air Assault course to Fort Polk

Photo By Patricia Dubiel | During the "zero day" physical challenge to clinch a spot for an Air Assault course being offered at Fort Polk, these candidates hold a canteen over their heads as they travers a log obstacle at the installation obstacle course on Georgia Avenue Feb. 24. A mobile training team from the Light Fighter School at Fort Drum, New York, the school that operates and manages the course, travelled to Fort Polk to take advantage of Louisiana's warmer winter climate while offering Fort Polk units a chance to let their Soldiers try out for a slot. See page XX for full story and more photos.  

UNITED STATES

03.03.2017

Story by Patricia Dubiel 

Fort Johnson Public Affairs Office

Sgt. 1st Class Mikey Fernandez, Air Assault course noncommissioned officer in charge, is on the Mobile Training Team from Fort Drum, New York. He said the course is held at Fort Polk at this time of year because of one advantage: The weather.
“We can’t conduct Air Assault in the winter at Fort Drum,” said Fernandez. “We have a special relationship with Fort Polk to run the course here instead. It’s a good break (for instructors) from the snow!”
The candidates were mostly active-duty Fort Polk Soldiers, about 35 National Guard Soldiers and one Airman. After they completed all nine obstacles (three of which were designated no-fail) of the course, they had to run 2 miles in 18 minutes or less. Once the candidates proved themselves physically, they were allowed to proceed with the coursework for earning the Air Assault Badge.
The coursework is broken down into three phases, according to Fernandez. “Phase one is where they learn all about the aircraft’s capabilities,” he said. “Phase two is sling load operations and learning to rig and inspect loads, and phase three, which is the most fun, is rappelling — first from a tower, then from an aircraft.”
Those who pass the course not only get the badge but also an additional skill identifier tacked on to their military occupational specialty. For Air Assault, that’s 2B.
Fernandez described what kind of Soldier makes a good candidate for Air Assault.
“Soldiers that are motivated and understand attention to detail, and who are physically fit,” he said. “Any MOS can apply and there is no age or rank restriction. I’ve had everything from E-1(private) to O-6(colonel) come through the course. Everybody can go through.”
Sgt. 1st Class Shane Hankey is also on the MTT from Fort Drum. He said offering the course at Fort Polk was a way for the Light Fighter School at Fort Drum (the parent school for the Air Assault course) to support the installation’s training effort.
“This course adds capability to their fight,” said Hankey in reference to the units that sent Soldiers to try out for a slot in the course. “The ultimate goal is certify these Soldiers so they can become unit enhancers.”

• Date Taken: 03.03.2017
• Date Posted: 12.21.2017 11:59
• Story ID: 259847
• Location: US