Photo By Master Sgt. Amy Lovgren | U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jesse Maleski, 133rd Contingency Response Flight, holds his...... read more read more
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jesse Maleski from the 133rd Contingency Response Flight (CRF) attended the Army Pathfinder course, conducted at the Army Warrior Training Center at Fort Benning, GA. The course provides students with technical expertise in planning and executing air movement, air assault, and air resupply operations for rotary and fixed-wing aircraft.
“The Army Pathfinder is a 15-day academically rigorous course where soldiers are trained in sling load operations, ground-to-air communications, helicopter landing zones and air assault planning, and fixed wing and rotary wing drop zone operations,” said Maleski.
The course is challenging, requiring students to learn and pass written and hands-on tests from the three functional areas: sling loads, air-traffic control or helicopter landing zones, and drop zones.
“The most challenging part of the course was the math – it’s very technical and rigorous, requiring memorization and use of numerous formulas, quantities, and calculations, all including multiple variables and aircraft-specific information,” said Maleski. “As you pass from one phase to the next, the math gets more complicated, and memorization becomes even more challenging.”
While this course is mostly attended by members of the U.S. Army, it is open to members of every branch of the military.
“It is not common for Air Force members to go through the course. I was the only one,” said Maleski. “As a non-Army student, acceptance into the course was not guaranteed after application submission. I obtained a “walk-on” slot, meaning I showed up on day one in the hopes that there would be room.”
Maleski completed the course as an honor graduate. Since being assigned to the 133rd Contingency Response Flight, Maleski has also attended the Army Air Assault course. By adding the crucial sling load qualification to his tool belt, he has expanded CRF’s mission set to include the use of rotary aircraft in facilitating cargo movement.
“The opportunity to train with other branches, specifically in relation to supply or resupply missions, has numerous benefits and makes us a more integrated organization,” said Maleski.
| Date Taken: | 01.08.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.06.2025 08:58 |
| Story ID: | 544599 |
| Location: | ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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