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    Privately Owned Mine Loaned For Falcon’s Peak

    Privately Owned Mine Loaned For Falcon’s Peak

    Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Nicholas Farina | A medevac helicopter prepares to touch down during a training scenario as part of the...... read more read more

    FORT DRUM, NY, UNITED STATES

    04.12.2018

    Story by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Farina 

    27th Public Affairs Detachment

    10Th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers simulated a large-scale battlefield at Tahawus Mine, New York, extending into the surrounding civilian-populated areas as part of the Falcon’s Peak aviation exercise taking place April 9-18.

    Tahawus Mine is privately owned land. Paul Mitchell, the owner of the mine, allowed for the 10th Mountain Division to train on his land free of charge.

    “This is out of his patriotic duty to support the U.S. Military,” said Maj. Derek Martin, the simulations officer for 10th CAB. “We are occupying his footprint and he’s been absolutely fantastic to work with.”

    Fort Drum is a well-sized complex but the surrounding areas and limited boundaries make it difficult to simulate a battlefield consisting of large distances needed to conduct realistic tactical aircraft training. Martin reached out to Mitchell hoping that the 10th CAB could use the large foot print.

    “From the get-go it has been nothing but yes,” said Martin.

    Tahawus Mine and the surrounding area allows for the aviation unit to train not just the pilots, but the planners as well. The size of the mine allowed for the 10th CAB to deploy a total of 17 aircraft to the location.

    All the pieces of the 10th CAB formation are training on how to fly against threats and how to be successful, explained Martin. Personnel conduct analysis of the North Country, learning the area and training within a location where the pilots do not fly low often. Pilots plan their routes and fly across northern New York in a low, tactical fashion, using the terrain to their advantage to try to avoid detection and any air defense artillery threats.

    Planning for Falcon’s Peak started in August of 2017. Martin, along with 10th CAB planners, faced a complex question of how to simulate a battlefield in a civilian area.

    10th CAB representatives met with distinguished visitors including the owner of the mine, New York State Troopers and government officials to present the idea to them.

    Making sure the surrounding public understands what is taking place within the area is a top priority, Martin said.

    The pilots normally fly around about 1000 feet or higher to avoid making too much noise out of common courtesy for the public. This training requires tactical low flying.

    “We try to be good stewards unless we are in a tactical mission where we have to fly low. So when we do, we inform the public to ensure they understand why,” Martin explained.

    Martin credited the New York State Troopers for all of their help. They put out a reverse 911 message to the surrounding population, advising people of the military presence including convoys on the road and low flying aircraft.

    The planning has paid off, and despite the difficult weather, the training at Tahawus Mine has been a great success in the eyes of Martin.

    “This is a great event for our Soldiers here. I think they are having a lot of fun. It’s wet. It’s cold. This is what 10th Mountain soldiers do. They are mountain tough for a reason. We put them out in austere conditions, we expect them to be successful and they always are,” assured Martin. “It’s pretty amazing to watch and I’m just honored to be a part of it.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.12.2018
    Date Posted: 04.17.2018 13:18
    Story ID: 273320
    Location: FORT DRUM, NY, US

    Web Views: 104
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN