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Air Assault

Photo By Staff Sgt. Zachary Mott | Pfc. Shawn Groshong, a Norwalk, Calif., native and an infantryman from Company A,...... read more read more

08.08.2007

Story by Sgt. Zachary Mott

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

By Sgt. Zach Mott
3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office

FORT CARSON, Colo.– Ground and air forces merged on the training area of Fort Carson, Colo., Aug. 7, as members of Company A, 1-8th Combined Arms Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conducted an air assault operation on a mock Iraqi village.

"The package that we got (today), as a company commander here at Fort Carson, I probably would never see that again," said Capt. David Sandoval, commander of Company A. "This is the first time that I've seen that robust a package for a company-level operation."

In addition to Sandoval's company, the package included Chinook, Apache, Black Hawk and Kiowa helicopters. That combination, while common in Iraq, is scarce at Fort Carson which is home to only one aviation squadron.

The aviation element from the 101st Airborne Division is currently conducting high altitude training at Fort Carson in preparation for its pending deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

The company jumped at the chance to train with an asset likely to be used during 3rd BCTs upcoming deployment to Iraq. For a company that has welcomed 40 privates since returning from Iraq in November, this was also a chance to introduce a new concept to traditional "ground-pounders."

"Just loading and unloading the Black Hawks themselves is pretty hard work," said Spc. Brett Boldra, a team leader with Co. A, 1-8 CAB.

The mechanized unit is trained in maneuvering in Humvees and Bradley Fighting Vehicles, but several combat veterans said the speed and surprise element an aerial insertion provides can help catch the bad guys in the act.

"With the air (insertion) we're able to drop right on top of the insurgents and they have no time to egress," said Staff Sgt. Atonasio Viera, a squad leader from Co. A, 1-8 CAB.

Helicopter travel also allows the mechanized infantrymen to experience what is typically a light-fighter role.

"Just because we're mechanized doesn't mean we can't go in a helicopter," Viera said. "We have to be flexible. An infantry Soldier, either mechanized or light, has got to be able to get out of a Bradley, a helicopter or a five-ton (truck)."

This event marks a return to training after the unit's block leave period, a period of 30 days off after returning home from deployment. The road ahead includes small arms ranges, Bradley gunneries and a field training exercise as 3rd BCT prepares for its upcoming deployment to Iraq.