Photo By Sgt. Woodlyne Escarne | Soldiers on the downed aircraft recovery team with 404th Aviation Support Battalion,...... read more read more
Subscribe
FORT CARSON, Colo. – 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division completed a field training exercise from August 18-25 at Fort Carson.
The purpose of the exercise was to sustain 4th CAB's offensive operations to destroy enemy forces. A significant part of the training included downed aircraft recovery exercises.
A downed aircraft recovery team, or DART, consists of Soldiers from the battalion who are responsible for extracting personnel from a downed aircraft using high-powered equipment.
"DART training is essential for our unit as we are the support battalion for the rest of the brigade, and it's a task we are expected to perform," said Sgt 1st Class Brian C. Fraley, an operations noncommissioned officer assigned to 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div.
In addition, the response time of DART depends on the situation, the weather, and the urgency of the operation.
Fraley said during the exercise, the mission would not be considered urgent and wouldn't require a Unit Maintenance Aerial Recovery Kit if the plane landed in a relatively safe and friendly area.
The UMARK is used to recover malfunctioning helicopters and drones affected by accidents, and it's typically used in combat zones or areas where an enemy threat is present.
DART is tasked with taking action within minutes after the helicopter goes down, and if the enemy threat is too pressing, they are expected to destroy the aircraft as a last-result method.
Practice makes perfect; therefore, the teams had to focus on all the fine details during the training, said Fraley.
This training exercise was executed with an opposing force in order to stimulate a real combat scenario.
The OPFOR attacked throughout the training exercise during all hours of the day including at night, therefore 404th ASB Soldiers had to hold a tight defense.
"This training builds camaraderie within the ranks, and watching Soldiers take on the challenges that come about while embracing their tasks as a team is the aspiring aspect of the job," said 1st Lt Julia Botello, Headquarters Support Company’s executive officer, 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div.
The DART team is composed of junior Soldiers and noncommissioned officers. Each of them plays an important role in the recovery efforts, including security, defensive operations, and maintenance personnel explicitly trained for the type of aircraft recovered.
"I have real-world experience doing DART missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and it's vital to complete this training," said Fraley.
Additionally, 404th ASB was tasked with other areas, which included conducting scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, supplying medical treatment and care, and establishing effective communication within the ranks, said Botello. Also, establishing and maintaining security and establishing a Fuel System Supply Point, or FSSP, all while in a hostile environment.
“The field exercise training has gone well and watching Soldiers will continue to help me grow as the HSC executive officer,” said Botello.
-30-
| Date Taken: | 08.26.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 08.29.2022 11:50 |
| Story ID: | 428179 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 131 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 404th Aviation Support Battalion recovers downed aircrafts, by SGT Woodlyne Escarne, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
