WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii – U.S. Pacific Command units are training to rapidly deploy at a moment’s notice. As a part of this effort, the 25th Infantry Division has prepared a Contingency Response Force to stand ready to provide aid to foreign nations during events such as natural disasters.
A vital asset in the aviation aspect of that role is the 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade.
The 3-25 AVN is equipped to provide troop transport, village resupply, heavy lifting of troops, supplies and other beneficial resources and to provide rapid response for medical treatment and rescue.
“Having the capability to quickly react to any emergency or crisis is really critical to strengthening the relationships that we have throughout the Pacific AOR,” said Capt. Nick Maksim, commander, Company D, 3-25 AVN, 25th CAB, 25th Inf. Div. “The mission helped keep the company proficient on deployment tasks and kept us at a constant state of readiness.”
Aircrews and soldiers from 3-25 AVN participated in a validation exercise recently which credited the crews to conduct CRF missions. Soldiers were mustered early morning to begin the exercise, where pilots and crews flew Black Hawks to the loading area to be prepped for loading in an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III.
By completing this exercise, 3-25 AVN played a pivotal role in meeting the 25th Inf. Div. mission of being a global asset for assistance.
Also within the Battalion, companies provide ground support by moving supplies and equipment and maintenance personnel and technicians who repair aircraft. Having a well-trained and diverse battalion like 3-25 AVN allows commanders the opportunity to have an element that can forward deploy and provide immediate help regardless of need.
The 3-25 AVN is also qualified and trained to operate with the U.S. Navy providing more value to meet any mission tasked to the CRF.
“Team Hammerhead, performed an excellent job as part of the CRF validation exercise by providing ready and essential aviation elements in support of Task Force Lightning Horse,” said Lt. Col. Hunter Marshall, 3-25 AVN commander, 25th CAB, 25th Inf. Div. “Our MEDAVAC and heavy lift aircrafts bring a critical capability to the overall CRF package.”