2-6 CAV Soldiers sled missiles in Kirkuk

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bryanna Poulin | Implemented in April 2007, armament and welding Soldiers with 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at FOB Warrior, designed a Hellfire sled to transport missiles.  

KIRKUK, IRAQ

05.31.2007

Courtesy Story

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

By Spc. Bryanna Poulin
25th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

KIRKUK, Iraq - With high temperatures and no sign of relief for
months, battling the heat has recently become a never ending mission for Soldiers in Iraq.

Sweat-drenched t-shirts and sunscreen have become daily reminders of the summer heat. It may come as a surprise then that the Soldiers in this sweltering desert are excited about a new sled.

But a sled is exactly what the welders with 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade at Forward Operating Base Warrior have designed to make their battle buddies' job safer and easier.

"Lt. Col. James Barker, squadron commander of 2/6, originally wanted a sled device for the armament Soldiers to be able to move Hellfire missiles from the pad storage to the aircraft," said Staff Sgt. Kenneth Atkinson, a squad ammunition manager for 2/6 who has been in various Army aviation units for more than four years. "The ingenuity of the sled was the inspiration of Troop E motor pool welders, who designed it specifically for the armament Soldiers".

"First we were throwing ideas around to the armament Soldiers to assure it was ergonomic for them," said Pvt. Joshua Chiodo, a welder with Troop E. "We were bugging them everyday about it ... we wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be a piece of equipment that would just sit there and not be used."

Implemented in April 2007, the Hellfire sled was primed with wheels off a swamp cooler and the inner component of the Hellfire case, proving to be more efficient and safe for armoring the OH-58 Kiowa.

Like many new systems, the Hellfire sled was not perfected the first time around. Chiodo explained that the first sled Troop D created had problems and was modified because the original one sat to high.

"The first sled didn't slide under the Kiowa smoothly," Atkinson noted. "The sled we use now is easier and more convenient because Soldiers are able to pull it to the bird and lift (the hellfire missile) three inches to slide it on the Kiowa."

While three inches doesn't seem like a long way to lift, for the Soldiers transporting the 100 pound missile, even a millimeter of error could cause grave damage to the missile.

"Hellfires cost about $65,000 and are very fragile," Atkinson said. "Even if the missile drops a few centimeters it becomes inoperable and a costly mistake for the unit."

Atkinson went on further to explain that regardless of weather or environmental elements like heat and rain, Soldiers continue to work to arm the birds.

"Many times Hellfires can get slippery and wet," said Atkinson.

"Even though Soldiers wear gloves, the missiles can slide from the hands... with the sled it makes moving the missile easier."

Aside from being easier to move, the most important aspect of the sled is safety said Sgt. Timothy Washington, armament Soldier with Troop D.

"Before we used the sled, we had to carry the missile and walk under the rotating blades, squat down low and (upload the missile)," said Spc. William Lankier, armament Soldier with Troop D. "With the sled we no longer have to do that ... We just roll it around to the aircraft, line it up and perfecto, the missile is on."

Not only is the sled safer for Soldiers, it speeds up the process by eliminating the second Soldier needed to transport it. Now, Chiodo explained, the second Soldier can be used for something else like communicating with the pilots.

Although the Hellfire sled has been a successful piece of equipment for 2/6 Soldiers, Atkinson hopes that it will be used at other aviation units throughout Iraq.

In the meantime, as 2-6 Soldiers work in the smoldering heat, the Hellfire sled allows the Soldiers to work smarter and not harder on daily armament missions.

• Date Taken: 05.31.2007
• Date Posted: 05.31.2007 15:52
• Story ID: 10615
• Location: KIRKUK, IQ