High Speed Dirt: 3-71 sling loaders enjoy rush of selfless-service

Photo By Sgt. Derek Kuhn | Spc. Christopher Hickey, a Bayonne, N.J., native, and Spc. Xavier De Leon, a Los Angeles native, prepare to hook up sling loads to a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter at Forward Operating Base Altimur in Logar province, Afghanistan, Sept. 9. Supplies are sling loaded onto helicopters, so more remote FOBs and Combat Outposts can receive needed items when other delivery options are impractical. Hickey serves as a supply representative for Troop C, 3rd Battalion, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. De Leon, who serves as a fire support specialist with Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 10th Mtn. Div., is currently attached to 3-71 Cav. Reg.  

AFGHANISTAN

09.20.2009

Story by Spc. Derek Kuhn 

Combined Joint Task Force - 82 PAO

The CH-47 Chinook Helicopter circles the landing zone at Forward Operating Base Altimur like a hawk searching for a mouse. With each pass, the helicopter draws closer and the ground becomes a miniature vortex of pebbles and dust.

After deciding his angle of approach, the pilot skilfully guides the Chinook toward the loads awaiting hook up to the helicopter.

Barely audible over the rotator blades roar, Army Sgt. Alexander Correa, an infantryman with Company B, 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, yells, "Get Ready. He's coming in low!"

The sling load team leader is not exaggerating. The Chinook is only a foot or two above the sling loads. Forcing the three-man team to crouch as they quickly secure the sling loads to the helicopter.

The team attaches three palettes via hooks to the underside of the helicopter. The palettes are filled with much needed supplies for remote FOBs and Combat Outposts.

Correa, who is currently attached to 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, and his team said they enjoy the rush of excitement and appreciate the effect they have on mission success and Soldiers' morale in the more rugged and remote areas of Afghanistan

"Sling loads go to troops in areas where it is too impractical or impossible to deliver the supplies by other means," said Spc. Christopher Hickey, a Bayonne, N.J., native and a supply representative for Troop C, 3-71 Cav. Reg.

Sling loads are often filled with essentials like water, food, fuel and ammunition, but loads can also be anything from construction equipment to care packages.

Spc. Xavier De Leon, a fire support specialist with Co. B, 1-32 Inf. Reg., takes pride in performing sling load operations.

"We definitely try to push out as many sling loads as we can," said the Los Angeles native. "Those guys really need them, because they probably haven't gotten mail or a real meal in a long time."

Correa agrees that sling loads are important for Soldiers on the front lines.

"It is very important to resupply our guys," Correa said. "When they need food, water, mail, ammo or whatever else, we do our best to get it to them."

Making sure Soldiers get their needed professional and personal supplies is a serious endeavor requiring most of the work to be completed before the helicopters arrive.

"We have to rig the load according to regulations," said Correa, a Boston, native. "We have to maintain proper weight and weight distribution, which can be tricky."

Though the sling loaders work hard to ensure the loads are safe to carry there are some elements affecting safety they cannot control.

If the weather is bad or if the pilots can't see us or the cargo, then it is too dangerous to attempt a sling load, Correa said.

In fact, elevation and air temperature affect how much a helicopter is able to ferry.

According to Correa, under optimal conditions a Chinook is able to carry about 45,000 pounds, but at FOB Altimur the maximum carrying capacity is around 12,000 pounds because the FOB is approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.

Correa continued to elaborate on the effect air temperature has on the Chinook's sling load capabilities.

"If it is too hot, (the helicopter) can't carry as much weight," he said. "If it is too cold, (the helicopter) can't carry as much because of the varying (air) densities. The air has to be just right."

With the gravity of such a duty, Correa and his team know how to appreciate the simple thrill of a Chinook hovering a few feet over head.

"It's a rush," Correa said. "You have a 50,000 pound aircraft hovering over you. It can be dangerous especially at night, but it's fun."


De Leon shares his teammate's sentiments.

"It is a mixture of fear and excitement," said De Leon. "Most of the adrenaline is coming from the fear, but it's not bad."

Even though he is mindful of his situation, De Leon's favorite part of the job is dealing with the helicopter.

"When the bird is right over head," said De Leon, "after you finish hooking up the sling loads, you run out from under it. Getting that extra push from the bird is my favorite part."

Even with the excitement sling load duty offers, these Soldiers never forget how important it is to help provide the supplies their battle buddies need to win the fight.

• Date Taken: 09.20.2009
• Date Posted: 09.20.2009 06:02
• Story ID: 39038
• Location: AF