Photo By Crystal Farris | Eighteen Soldiers from the Idaho Army National Guard earn their Air Assault wings...... read more read more
Subscribe
Eighteen members of the Idaho Army National Guard graduated from a 12-day Air Assault Course held at Camp Rilea, Oregon, on June 8, 2018. One of the Army’s most challenging courses, it teaches Soldiers rappelling techniques and sling load procedures for conducting combat air assault operations.
“These Soldiers are to be commended for a job well done,” said Col. Scott Sheridan, commander, 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team. “Air assault is a physically and mentally challenging course. Our graduates represented their units and the Idaho Army National Guard well.”
Graduates included 15 Soldiers from the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team and three Soldiers from the 183rd Assault Helicopter Battalion. They are Spc. Christopher Baynes, Spc. Peter Bennett, Pfc. Cody Ghighina, Spc. Joshua Green, Spc. Abel Hernandez, Spc. Joshua Hutchings, Sgt. Gordon Larsen, Spc. Michael Nau, Spc. David Pak, Sgt. Anthony Peace, Spc. Isaac Preston, Spc. Ryan Pyfer, Pfc. Dillion Pense, Spc. Matthew Perreira, Pfc. Samuel Reid, Pfc. Javier Scott, Pfc. Bjon Thompson and Spc. Trevor Tucker.
Soldiers earned their Air Assault wings in a ceremony proceeding the final course requirement, a 12-mile foot march in under three hours. The foot march although difficult, is only one of many challenging tasks they had to accomplish throughout training, which included a rigorous obstacle course on zero day.
Prior to arriving at Camp Rilea, Soldiers studied course curriculum, practiced negotiating obstacles such as a mandatory rope climb and conducted multiple foot marches with up to 40-pound rucks.
“I don’t think of it as a 10-day course,” Baynes said. “It was something I’ve been working toward for seven years.”
Course instruction was 10 days and comprised of three phases; combat assault operations, sling load operations and rappelling.
In phase one Soldiers received training on combat assault, aircraft orientation, aircraft safety, aeromedical evacuation, pathfinder operations and hand and arm signals. In phase two they learned to prepare, rig and inspect various military sling-loads for equipment and vehicles such as the M998 HMMWV and M1102 Cargo Trailer. In the final phase Soldiers received instruction on tying a rappel seat, hook-up techniques, lock-in procedures, belay procedures and rappelling.
Throughout training Soldiers received several written and performance-oriented tests, conducted multiple runs and foot marches and rappelled from multiple towers and rotary wing aircraft.
When considering candidates for the Air Assault Course, commanders must choose from their most highly motivated and physically qualified Soldiers. Soldiers interested in attending the course must meet height and weight standards and complete both a 12-mile foot march and an obstacle course within 90 days of a class start date.
| Date Taken: | 06.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.15.2018 12:10 |
| Story ID: | 281090 |
| Location: | BOISE, IDAHO, US |
| Web Views: | 1,276 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 18 Idaho Army National Guard Soldiers earn their Air Assault Wings, by Crystal Farris, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
