2nd CAB harnesses a Volcano

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers from 2nd Bn., 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, stand by as a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter lands after successfully completing a Volcano capabilities exercise at Bisung Range near the city of Yangpyeong, South Korea.  

26, SOUTH KOREA

03.01.2012

Story by Staff Sgt. Vincent Abril 

2nd Combat Aviation Brigade

YANGPYEONG, South Korea - On a cool, crisp winter morning, soldiers from two aviation battalions prepared for an in-flight training scenario at a breath-taking mountain valley in South Korea.

A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter sat on a landing pad, its crew anticipating a new mission amid a picturesque backdrop.

Last month, during a capabilities exercise at Bisung Range, near the city of Yangpyeong, Sgt. Christopher Butts, a Black Hawk crew chief with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade, put his skills to work on the M-139 Air Volcano Mine Dispensing System, a system designed to disrupt enemy movement.

A native of Birmingham, Ala., Butts joined the National Guard in 2001 as a Chinook helicopter crew chief straight after high school. In 2004 he decided to take his commitment to the next level. He enlisted full time on active duty as a Black Hawk crew chief. Eight years later, he found himself as a subject-matter expert in the Army’s only unit actively training on the Volcano system.

“Being able to turn wrenches and fly is great, but maintaining and operating a weapon system such as the M-139 is an awesome experience,” said Butts.

The Volcano is a unique system with important capabilities, said the unit commander.

“[We’re] the only battalion in Army aviation actively training with these systems, and we are constantly developing tactics, techniques and procedures for its employment,” said Lt. Col. Erik O. Gilbert, commander, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment.

As the battalion’s mission is unique to the Army, Butts understands its importance and takes his responsibilities as the master trainer seriously.

“I show soldiers what ‘right’ looks like, in a controlled environment, and ensure they can do what’s expected of them, because it is a matter of life and death,” Butts said.

The training objectives went without a hitch, due to teamwork and professionals like Butts. The hard work and efforts of the battalion did not go unnoticed by anyone in the chain of command.

“What 2CAB has done here, especially 2-2, is put together a task force concept that’s leading the way for the Army on how to employ these assets and really give us a viable option against a real threat,” said Maj. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, 2nd Infantry Division commanding general.

Cardon watched the Warriors showcase the Volcano system and was pleased with their performance.

“I’m really proud of these soldiers for what they have done to lead the way for the Army,” said Cardon.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2012
• Date Posted: 04.05.2012 01:18
• Story ID: 86260
• Location: 26, KR