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    1CAB Conducts Forward Arming and Refueling Point Operations in Support of Saber Junction 19

    1CAB Conducts Forward Arming and Refueling Point Operations in Support of Saber Junction 19

    Photo By Maj. Matthew St Clair | The Forward Arming and Refueling Point, run by Echo Company, 2-1 General Support...... read more read more

    Grafenwoehr, Germany – The platoon from Echo Company, 2-1 General Support Aviation Battalion, is poised, ready to jump into action the moment they see an incoming friendly helicopter. All of a sudden, two UH-60 Blackhawks emerge from just over the tree line. The team breaks into action, preparing to feed much needed fuel into the landing aircraft.

    The Forward Arming and Refueling Point, run by Echo Company, 2-1 General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, plays a critical role for aviation on the battlefield.

    “The Forward Arming and Refueling Point, or FARP, is where aircraft come to get armed and fuel up,” said 1st Lt. Dan Sulzinger of Echo Company, 2-1 General Support Aviation Battalion. “We are here so we can refuel and rearm the Apaches while they are doing their gunnery.”

    But the FARP isn’t just used for the AH-64 Apache. Throughout the past few weeks, UH-60 Blackhawks, CH-47 Chinooks, and AH-64 Apaches from the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division have been conducting aerial gunnery in the Grafenwoehr Training Area to maintain combat readiness, and prepare to support the multinational exercise Saber Junction 19.

    Saber Junction is a 7th Army Training Command conducted, U.S. Army Europe directed combat training rotation for the U.S. Army’s 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team at the Joint Multination Readiness Center from Sep. 3-30, 2019. The exercise includes 5,400 participants from the U.S. and 15 other NATO allied and partner nations. It provides training and interoperability for the multinational forces.

    “For Saber Junction, we are providing a FARP for the Blackhawks and Chinooks. When they go out and do their air assaults or their missions, we will be here so they can come and get fuel when they need it,” said Sulzinger. “Without fuel, nothing moves.”

    FARPs play a crucial role in all types of aviation operations, from combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. “If the aircraft can’t get fuel, they can’t perform their missions. They can’t go into the middle of the battlefield and protect our troops on the ground,” said Sulzinger.

    In combat, FARPs are often placed in key locations to ensure aircraft can remain in the fight. “We go out into the worst parts of the battlefield and we setup a FARP so that when the aircraft are finished doing their mission, they can come in and quickly refuel instead of having to go back to the rear,” said Sulzinger. “[FARPs save] precious minutes, hours and possibly lives. Without us monitoring the FARP, working it day in and day out, the battle can’t continue.”

    The 1st Combat Aviation Brigade is currently providing aviation support to the Saber Junction 19 exercise. They are on a nine month rotation to Europe as part of the Atlantic Resolve mission. The unit will redeploy back to Fort Riley, KS shortly, and will be replaced by the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade from Savannah, GA.

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 09.13.2019
    Date Posted: 09.13.2019 09:59
    Story ID: 340504
    Location: GRAFENWOHR, DE

    Web Views: 416
    Downloads: 0

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