Photo By Sgt. April de Armas | 1st Lt. Benjamin White, Company F, 2 Air Assault Battalion, 82nd Combat Aviation...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Ever since the first group of paratroopers volunteered to mark drop zones during World War II, these airborne trailblazers have been at home in the 82nd Airborne Division.
Officially known as Army Pathfinders, this elite force makes up less than one percent of the total service. Today, they continue to serve an important role in the All-American Division, setting up parachute drop zones and helicopter landing zones to give commanders the option to flexibly employ air assets.
The 82nd Airborne Division, welcomed 42 new U.S. Army Pathfinders, who earned their torch, Feb. 14 at Fort Bragg, N.C., after three weeks of intense training lead by the Pathfinder Mobile Training Team from Fort Benning, Ga.
The 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade hosted the course at Fort Bragg, N.C. As the commander of the All-American Pathfinder Company, Capt. Richard M. Jones, saw several of his troops graduate the coveted training.
“Anytime you graduate from an Army school, in particular the Pathfinder school, it’s a great honor and shows the trooper’s attention to detail,” said Jones, Company F, 2-82 Aviation Assault Battalion. “To have 12 of the 42 to graduate, it is just an honor and a privilege to say I am the commander of an organization where we can produce such absolute professionals.”
The Pathfinder training course tests the trooper’s knowledge on air traffic control, medical evacuation procedures, sling load operations and rigging and inspection techniques. They also learn how to compute air release points and select, establish and operate helicopter landing zones, pick up zones and drop zones.
Staff Sgt. Ryan Hamilton, MTT training noncommissioned officer, 1-507th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Fort Benning, Ga., instructed the paratroopers on sling load operations.
“The training is a pretty important skill set to have because it teaches them to become technical experts in everything rotary wing related,” Hamilton said. “It is one of those types of things that if you are on the ground and need to get aerial supply or resupply as well as any type of personnel to the fight, then, this is the quickest and easiest way to get it.”
Capt. Kevin Ramirez, executive officer for the Pathfinder Company, was one of the graduates who earned his badge.
“It takes an extreme amount of technical efficiency to call yourself a Pathfinder, and I think that it is what makes the school so challenging,” said Ramirez. “I have been around the Pathfinders and have done a lot of these kinds of things already in the field. I believe it gave me a leg up in preparation for this course.”
With such intense training, the graduation rate of the Pathfinder course is less than 45 percent, and graduates are usually noncommissioned officers and officers. However, Pfc. Stephen Gunnels, infantryman, Company F, proved that even the newest members of the team can finish strong and meet the challenge.
“When I heard about all the schools I could go to coming into the Army, Pathfinder school was definitely one I wanted,” Gunnels said. “It takes a lot of dedication and long nights of studying so, I am proud to be a part of the legacy and proud to wear the badge as a private first class.”
The graduates have much to be proud of by completing their course but are promised their work is just beginning as they continue their service in America’s Guard of Honor.
“You will rise to the occasion and do so in a manner which reflects proudly on your unit and the Pathfinders,” Jones said to the graduating class. “Keep your sleeves rolled up. We have work to do. First in, last out.”
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2013 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 102269 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 335 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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