Photo By Creighton Holub | CAMP TAJI, Iraq – A crew chief assigned to the Combat Aviation Brigade's air...... read more read more
by Sgt. 1st Class Reginald Rogers
CAB PAO, 4th Inf. Div.
CAMP TAJI, Iraq – Medical Evacuation flight crews from the 1st Cavalry Division's Air Cavalry Brigade, which is based out of Fort Hood, Texas, recently arrived at Camp Taji to begin their yearlong deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment arrived at Camp Taji Sept. 12 and immediately began a training process to help ease the unit's transition into the battle.
"(Both units) are currently in the process of doing Local Area Orientation flights with their pilots-in-command," explained Maj. Rick Ortiz, commander of the CAB's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment.
Ortiz said the training is being conducted by the 1st Cav. pilots and flight medics. At the same time, once they complete the LAOs, they will be required to perform right-seat and left-seat rides with their crews in order for them to fly in the area of operations and understand the radio calls. This is to increase their awareness of the terrain before they assume the mission."
The purpose of the right-seat and left-seat rides is to increase the incoming crewmembers situational awareness and knowledge before they assume the mission, said Ortiz.
The 1st Cav. Div. crews are making a smooth transition into the Multi-National Division – Baghdad operation.
"So far, it's going very well," he said. "We've had some challenges as far as aircraft maintenance is concerned as we transition, but we've got to continue training every day. Progress is good, and we're staying on track to complete the Relief-In-Place/Transfer of Authority process on time."
The 1st Cav unit will be attached to the 4th Inf. Div.'s Combat Aviation Brigade, said Ortiz, much like the 4th Inf. Div's CAB was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division last year when it arrived in theater ahead of the rest of the brigade.
"They are kind of in the same boat we were in when we first got here, and we're passing on our lessons learned, so hopefully they will take them and not make the same mistakes and continue to drive on," he said. "I'm sure they will pick up the mission and do well."
He said the fact that the Air Cavalry Brigade has been assigned to Camp Taji before has made RIP/TOA process a lot easier.
"I think it has made a difference," said Ortiz. "I think they're coming here with a great attitude and they're a very motivated unit.
They're confident and open-minded about the transformation and they're taking advice.
The training has been very positive and helpful for the unit, said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jesse McAninch, a pilot in Co. C, 2-227th Avn. Regt.
"I think the training has been pretty outstanding," he said. These guys know the AO extremely well from being here two years ago.
We were over in the Marine Corps sector, but we flew into Baghdad quite a bit. The training is a good refresher from when we were here."
The brigade's training is geared toward ensuring that his unit is successful in its mission and the transition should be a smooth one, he added
"It makes it a lot easer," McAninch said. "Prior to this, I was only familiar with Combat Support Hospital area south and that area, but now I'm getting to know Baghdad a little more intimately. It's been great. They're very knowledgeable, and they been putting out great information."
For now, Ortiz said he and his unit are looking forward to returning to Fort Hood and getting reacquainted with their loved ones. They are scheduled to arrive at Fort Hood in the next few days and, according to Ortiz, he is looking forward to the trip.
"Absolutely, absolutely," he said about his return to Fort Hood. "I'm very proud of my guys who are out there making sure that this unit receives the proper training."
| Date Taken: | 10.04.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.04.2006 13:28 |
| Story ID: | 7923 |
| Location: | TAJI, IQ |
| Web Views: | 439 |
| Downloads: | 256 |
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