US Soldiers conduct joint hot load training at Camp Buehring

Photo By Spc. Damian Mioduszewski | A U.S. Army UH-60 takes off after dismounting U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division during a training event near Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Feb. 4, 2022. The Soldiers are training as a part of the Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Daesh withing designated areas of Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Damian Mioduszewski) (Portions of this image have been masked for security reasons)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

02.04.2022

Story by Maj. Karl Cain and Spc. Damian Mioduszewski

Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve   

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT – U.S. Soldiers with the 11th Combat Aviation Brigade completed hot load training Feb. 4-5, implementing UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopters alongside service members with the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment (“Ramrods”), 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.

These Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve units conducted this training to support their missions to advise, assist and enable partnered forces in the enduring defeat of Da’esh—also known as ISIS or ISIL—within designated areas of Iraq and Syria.

During the training flights, 11th CAB aviators familiarized Soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment with safe and effective methods to mount and dismount Army helicopters while the aircrafts’ engines run and rotor blades spin.

“Building the air-ground relationship through mutual training such as the air movement and hot load training conducted today is invaluable to the ground maneuver units,” said U.S. Army Capt. John D. Malcolm, aviation liaison officer 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment. “It helps build Soldiers’ confidence and helps train them with assets they haven’t often encountered in their career.” The excitement of several participants was palpable. Many of the trainees had never flown in a helicopter before this multi-faceted event.

“That was the coolest thing I’ve done in the army,” said U.S. Army Pfc. Antonio Godoy, a trainee with 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment. “I’ve only ever seen helicopters flying in the distance.”

Mastering techniques to mount and dismount different Army vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft is a critical skill for Army air assault operations. These operations also depend on a wide range of maneuver elements working together to achieve the desired end state. U.S. Army Capt. Justin Naber, Ramrods’ Alpha Company commander, highlighted several benefits of the integrated Army infantry and aviation crew drills.

“It helps build relationships between the ground forces and air movement elements,” he said, “the relationships are built, and the systems are understood, so it allows us to facilitate mission planning and mission execution effectively.”

This training event allowed the 11th CAB and the 2nd Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment to practice integrating mobility, helicopter assets, and maneuver capabilities to effectively seize and hold key terrain, usually behind enemy lines or engage and destroy enemy forces. Whether each Soldier learned a new skill or refreshed their fundamental techniques, the event prepared the U.S. Army warfighters to work as a team and remain ready to accomplish real-world missions.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2022
• Date Posted: 03.09.2022 07:26
• Story ID: 414721
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW