Iraqi army, U.S. Soldiers keep enemy at bay with combined air insertion

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt | Multi-National Division - Baghdad Soldiers from the 1st Armored Division and Iraqi army soldiers run to a Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Div. Black Hawk helicopter at Patrol Base Dolby. The combined operation provided a "surprise" flash traffic control point six miles south of Baghdad using a Black Hawk and Apache helicopter air weapons team for protection during the ground operation.  

TAJI, IRAQ

05.02.2009

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Brent Hunt 

1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP TAJI, Iraq — Two 4th Infantry Division helicopter battalions topping more than 17,000 combat flying hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008-2010, conducted a combined air insertion operation outside Patrol Base Dolby before redeploying back to Fort Hood, Texas, after a yearlong tour.

Using the Apache attack and Black Hawk helicopters as a team, aviators from the 3rd and 4th Battalion's, Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., Multi-National Division — Baghdad, provided aerial support and protection for infantry Soldiers from the 17th Iraqi Army Div. and the U.S. 1st Armored Div. as they conducted a flash traffic control point six miles south of Baghdad.

An FTCP is an operation where coalition and Iraqi soldiers are inserted into a random location to set-up a "surprise" check point denying terrorists the ability to transport improvised explosive devices, move wanted criminals and conduct other illegal activities.

The operation showcased the CAB's ability to use Black Hawk and Apache attack helicopters as an air weapons team. By conventional standards, AWTs consist of two Apache's who protect troops on the ground with their weapons system. The Black Hawk and Apache configuration, dubbed a "mixed team," provides aviators and ground commanders more flexibility on the battlefield. The mixed team configuration was used extensively during the Vietnam War using Cobra and Huey helicopters.

"What the Mixed Team does is give us the ability to insert 11 infantrymen into objectives while providing support from the Apache platform," said Capt. Matthew Van Epps, Apache pilot, Company C, 4th Bn., the "Gambler Guns," from Mentor, Ohio. "Also, it gives us more flexibility to move Soldiers on the ground, because we can provide transportation for Soldiers while providing firepower with the Apaches.

"Performing this air ground integration is a highlight for this brigade during this deployment," added Van Epps. "With the improved security situation here in Iraq, the mixed team allows us the flexibility to move more troops and transition easily into the attack mode if needed. I'm able to meet the ground commander's intent, who I support. Also, I can get feedback on how I can better support his mission."

Van Epps, who is on his first deployment to Iraq, stressed the importance of the operation and his support for the continued progress of the Iraqi security forces.

"The importance today is the combined mission and working with our Iraqi partners," said Van Epps. "It shows how far we have come supporting the coalition and the Iraqi army."

Prior to the FTCP operation, and as part of the air ground integration, crew chiefs from the CAB's 3rd Bn. "Comanche," showed IA and U.S. ground Soldiers how to safely load and unload the helicopter, set-up a security perimeter and communicate effectively on the battlefield.

"I gave them a thorough brief and the Iraqi soldiers did pretty well," said Sgt. Jeremiah Shenefelt, standardization instructor and Black Hawk crewchief, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Bn., from Cheyenne, Wyo. "They were pretty happy to be here and learn what we do."

With the responsibility of taking control of their country increasing more and more every day, senior ISF leaders recognize the importance of their time to learn as much as they can.

"The training was very good and it was very specific to our soldier's mission and their training," said Iraqi army 1st Sgt. Khalf Hasan with the 1st Bn., 55th Bde., 17th IA Div. "The coalition forces showed us how to drop down for an air insertion and the cooperation of the friendly forces was great. This training was very good, for what we do, and we hope for more of this type of training. I'm sure my soldiers learned a lot today."

• Date Taken: 05.02.2009
• Date Posted: 05.15.2009 14:32
• Story ID: 33668
• Location: TAJI, IQ