3rd CAB supports Raider Focus

3rd Combat Aviation Brigade
Story by Sgt. William Begley

Date: 05.20.2014
Posted: 06.03.2014 10:58
News ID: 131915
3rd CAB supports Raider Focus

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Soldiers of 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade provided aviation support during air assault and medical evacuation missions for Raider Focus—a recently completed field training exercise led by 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division during May on Fort Stewart.

The FTX was beneficial to the aviation unit to prepare the 3-17 CAV Soldiers for the National Training Center, while supporting 1st ABCT there.

Army 1st Sgt. Orlando Jackson, Troop B, 3-17 CAV, said he was able to evaluate his Soldiers’ abilities to react under the training conditions.

“We’re evaluating all of our aircraft, equipment and Soldiers,” said Jackson. “I want to make sure my Soldiers are receiving the proper training.”

With many of the Soldiers being deployment Veterans, Jackson said he had a strategy to keep his Soldiers from getting complacent in garrison.

“We plan on keeping them busy, physically and mentally,” said Jackson, a Lake Charles, La. native. “The enemy can strike at any time, so we want to get them in the mindset of being prepared at all times.”

Additionally, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joseph Flint, OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter pilot, Troop B, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, said he and the other pilots are always happy when they get a chance to fly and support the team.

“We are here providing aerial support coverage for the guys on the ground,” said Flint. “This is training which ultimately will take us and 1st ABCT to NTC, and prepare us for deployment.”

Army Maj. Adam Cannon, operations officer, 1st ABCT, explained that it was also an opportunity to work together with other units.

“This was a great opportunity to bring all the components from our brigades together and work as a total organization,” said Cannon.

Cannon also said that this exercise was an important part of getting into the mental preparation necessary for the upcoming NTC mission.

“The core of this training is to get Soldiers into the mental mindset so that their actions seem automatic,” continued Cannon. “You’re still a thinking individual out there, but now you know the right actions to reflexively take. We ingrain this into the individual rifleman all the way up to the company.”