29th CAB Soldiers expand logistical capabilities from the ground to the sky

Courtesy Photo | Staff Sgt. Dave Niesen, standardization instructor with Task Force Wraith, prepares to push a resupply door bundle, called a speedball, out of a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter during aerial resupply training at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July, 27, 2017. Aerial resupply training increases the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade’s readiness and interoperability with other units as it supports Operation Spartan Shield. (Courtesy photo by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Kanzler)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

07.27.2017

Story by 1st Lt. Leyda Kanzler 

29th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait –From the ground to the skies, the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade Soldiers continue to expand their capabilities and look for new ways to operate in theater.

Soldiers of the 29th CAB’s 1-147th Assault Helicopter Battalion, Task Force Wraith, teamed up with the 371st Sustainment Brigade and riggers of the 824th Quartermaster Detachment, 548th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, to conduct aerial delivery operations during a training exercise with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, July 27, 2017.

Aerial delivery is a form of resupply that provides fast, effective transportation for various classes of supply to units on the battlefield. With their helicopters and logistics personnel in Kuwait, the 29th CAB enjoys opportunities to conduct aerial delivery training.

During this particular operation, the 1-147th AHB delivered free-drop, resupply door bundles, called “speedballs,” from a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.

Although this type of rapid service isn’t new to the 1-147th AHB, which has conducted similar airdrops before, using speedballs is a new technique that they were willing to try in order to expand their capabilities.

“The benefit to us is that we haven’t done that sort of resupply before,” said Capt. Lucas Sivertson, 1-147th AHB’s assistant operations officer, who assisted with not only planning and coordinating the operation, but flying the actual mission itself.

In order to develop standards for this type of operation, the 1-147th AHB’s Standardization Instructor, Staff Sgt. Dave Niesen and the Battalion Standardization Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gomez, were brought into the mission planning to develop a safe, standardized way to deliver speedballs.

The standardization team is responsible for knowing the applicable regulations and advising the commander about the best ways to conduct training and other operations.

“This operation gave us a better understanding of what the ground units are looking for,” said Niesen, who pushed the bundles out of the aircraft.

Gomez, who served as the air mission commander during the operation, had conducted similar aerial resupply with the 1-147th AHB, yet this was his first time to train with the speedball.

“If we could, it would be good to get back to training the aircrew to do low-cost, low-altitude parachute operations,” said Gomez.

Fortunately, the 371st Sust. Bde., provides training for units seeking to learn new resupply techniques or receive refresher training on aerial resupply methods they are already familiar with.

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Michael Kanzler, the 371st Sust. Bde.’s airdrop systems technician who served as the jumpmaster for the operation, and Capt. Leon Forystek, the 371st Sust. Bde.’s field services officer in charge who served as the strategic planner, continue to work with the 1-147th AHB and other units to provide them with tools and training opportunities to make them proficient with aerial resupply and sling-load operations.

Collaboration is essential to leverage all the various skills and capabilities that reside in organizations outside the CAB.

“In sustainment operations, especially aerial delivery, collaboration between units is an essential spoke in the sustainment wheel that moves operations forward,” said Kanzler. “Each unit brings their own skill set or capability to make a multi-echelon operation happen.”

This particular exercise gave four different units the opportunity to exercise their capabilities and put their skills to the test.

Gomez appreciated the opportunity to learn a jumpmaster’s perspective on helicopter operations.

“Working with the 548th CSSB was educational, especially with jumpmasters and how they want to set up landing zones,” said Gomez.

This aerial delivery operation will not be the last for the 1-147th AHB, who plan to continue their training partnership with the 371st Sust. Bde.

The 29th CAB currently supports Operation Spartan Shield under US Army Central and simultaneously provides operation and logistical aviation support to Operation Inherent Resolve, the campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

• Date Taken: 07.27.2017
• Date Posted: 08.31.2017 06:08
• Story ID: 246673
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: AUSTIN, TEXAS, US
• Hometown: SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US