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'Shadow of the Eagle' stretches across Fort Carson

Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Derek Syroka, an M1 Abrams tank mechanic, and Pvt. Jalisca Parr, a signal support...... read more read more

FORT CARSON, UNITED STATES

10.30.2009

Courtesy Story

4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers train as they fight and fight as they train; and the best kind of training replicates a real world situation as closely as possible. That's why the 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Regiment from Fort Campbell, Ky., made a two-day journey to Fort Carson for 32 days of training that accurately simulates conditions of a real world deployment.

Approximately 300 Soldiers of Task Force Shadow worked, trained and resided near Butts Army Airfield for the past month, bringing U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches, OH-58 Kiowas, UH-60 Black Hawks and medical evacuation aircraft to accommodate a wide variety of exercises Oct. 6 through Nov. 7

"The main objective is to conduct high altitude training and air/ground integration," stated Lt. Col. Brad Ninness, commander, 6th Bn., 101st Avn. Regt.

Ninness, Task Force Shadow commander, said that the colder weather and mountainous region is similar to the conditions found in ongoing operations in Afghanistan.

The high altitude in Fort Carson and surrounding areas requires acclimatization for Soldiers and adjustments to operating equipment, he added.

"I notice our Soldiers huffing and puffing a little more than usual," said Ninness. "I also notice our aircraft having to work harder with the different altitude."

Staff Sgt. Matthew Teleha, a maintenance section non-commissioned officer in charge of Chinook Repair, assigned to Company D, 6th Bn., 101st Avn. Regt., said he believes the training experience at Fort Carson is very similar to the types of conditions faced in Afghanistan.

In addition to training for a future deployment, Task Force Shadow conducted team training and practical exercises for Soldiers of the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, 4th Infantry Division. Training included medical evacuation procedures, sling load operations and pick-up zone/landing zone operations.

The more opportunities Soldiers have to train, the more familiar they become with their equipment and are better prepared for their mission, said Spc. Michael Ryan, signal support specialist assigned to Company E, 1st Bn., 22nd Infantry Regt., 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

Task Force Shadow conducted the training on several Fort Carson ranges allowing aircraft to take off and land during the training maneuvers, providing a degree of realism, such as the rotor wash, that Soldiers have to account for during deployments.

"It is hands on and I actually get to see a real 'bird' for once," said Pfc. Robert Ellis, a medic assigned to Headquarters Headquarters Company, 1st Bn., 22nd Inf. Regt.

Sgt. Stephanie Luke, flight medic, Company C, 6th Bn., 101st Avn. Regt., instructed 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers how to properly use a Sked Stretcher and the hoist on a UH-60A Medical Evacuation Blackhawk aircraft.

"I appreciated their enthusiasm," said Luke, about the Soldiers attending her class. "It is very conducive to training."

Soldiers of the 101st Avn. Regt. will deploy to National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., alongside the 4th Inf. Div.'s 3rd BCT during November.