Photo By Maj. Enrique Vasquez | Sgt. Gregory Moseley, CH-47 Chinook flight engineer assigned to Company B, 2nd General...... read more read more
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By Maj. Enrique T. Vasquez
Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
TIKRIT, Iraq – From air assaults to passenger transport the Army's biggest helicopters dominate the skies of northern Iraq. The CH-47 Chinooks belonging to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, "Fighting Eagles" transport troops into battle along with mail, passengers and cargo between bases within Multi-National Division-North.
The Fighting Eagles are part of the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, from Fort Riley, Kan., flying in support of Task Force Iron. Since the start of their deployment last fall the 2-1 GSAB has moved 2,400 plus tons of cargo, transported more than 30,000 passengers and flown in excess of 400 combat missions.
The Chinook is the favorite mode of travel for ground unit commanders. Since the Chinook can carry 30 plus combat troops and all their equipment, it is the preferred rotary-wing aircraft for moving large amounts of cargo and Soldiers in northern Iraq.
"Ground commanders routinely request the Chinooks because of their unmatched capability to move larger groups of Soldiers and all their equipment," said Maj. Scott Bovee, 2-1 GSAB operations officer.
Moving troops and cargo by CH-47 Chinook takes the talents of several crewmembers working together to ensure the mission is accomplished in a safe manner.
"The crew is made up of two pilots, one crew chief, one flight engineer and one gunner. The crew chief makes sure the aircraft is ready to fly and that passengers and cargo are loaded safely," said Sgt. Joshua Velsor, Company B, 2-1 GSAB, Chinook crew chief.
"The pilots fly the aircraft and the flight engineer advises the crew on the airspace around the aircraft. The flight engineer keeps an eye out for other aircraft and enemy on the ground," said Sgt. Gregory Moseley, Co. B. 2-1 GSAB Chinook flight engineer.
"The flight engineer is also responsible for any unscheduled maintenance that needs to be performed on the airframe and for ensuring the gunner remains trained," said Moseley.
A typical day for a CH-47 crew starts early. Crews come in and check the Chinook from top to bottom making sure the aircraft are safe and flyable.
"I normally wake up in the morning like around four, then after breakfast I come out check the technical manuals, get the bird ready. I and the other crewmembers then get with the pilots and start our run-ups and conduct pre-flight checks to make sure there are no problems with the birds," said Spc. Raymond Sauseda, Co. B, 2-1 GSAB Chinook crew chief.
"We look at the mission plans and check the routes being flown and go over were we will be going and load any equipment in preparation for our mission," said Sauseda.
Crews not only prepare the Chinooks for flight, but also prepare the cargo being moved during the mission.
"As we receive cargo we load it onto the aircraft. Sometimes we receive pallets of mail, ammo and anything the Soldiers need moved. We also move humvees and Gater carts, we just have to put the seats up and make sure the units prepare the vehicles properly," said Velsor.
A Chinook not only carries cargo inside the aircraft, but it can also sling load cargo to the bottom of the helicopter. Cargo hooks located on the bottom of the aircraft facilitate sling load operations.
"You can either use a tandem load or a center-of-cargo sling load to move cargo. The tandem load takes a forward and aft line hooked and secured to the cargo, while the center-of-cargo sling load is just a sling connected to the center cargo hook of the helicopter," said Saucedo.
Chinook crews load passengers along with any equipment they may have.
"Not only do we move passengers but we usually move baggage like duffle bags, assault packs and personal gear," said Sauseda.
"Although a person has to carry his or her own bags, the crews are usually very helpful if you are carrying a ton of stuff. The crews will help you load and unload your bags on the helicopter if needed. I take care of electronic equipment at several different forward operating bases, so the Chinooks allow me to go where I need to go," said Staff Sgt. Valentine Smith, 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment.
With hundreds of Soldiers and civilian contractors requiring transportation in Iraq, the Chinook is the mode of travel many are using instead of moving by ground.
"I appreciate the fact that I don't have to ride in the ground convoys just to do my job," said Smith.
"I enjoy the service the helicopters provide, it's really convenient, because I do a lot of flying between Tikrit, Mosul, and Kirkuk. The service makes my job a whole lot easier," said Smith.
Chinook air crews recognize the positive impact they have on the remote bases in northern Iraq.
"We pick-up a lot of passengers, cargo and supplies and move it to the different places we visit. It's good to see the places that you're bringing the cargo to. It feels good to see the people, who need the cargo get it," said Sauseda.
"It makes me feel good to see Soldiers ride with us because it keeps them off the roads. By riding on a Chinook Soldiers are kept from facing improvised explosive devices," said Velsor.
| Date Taken: | 06.06.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 06.06.2008 09:55 |
| Story ID: | 20180 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 385 |
| Downloads: | 285 |
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