Photo By Spc. Brenda Salgado Morales | Sgt. Maj. Jesus Jimenez, senior enlisted advisor for 404th Aviation Support Battalion,...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. – Soldiers with 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, completed a field training exercise Aug. 18-25. The field training tested the unit's strength in fighting enemy forces and recovering downed aircraft.
This field training exercise consisted of around the clock surveillance and strenuous exercises to prepare Soldiers for combat, where being prepared for all potential scenarios is imperative. Soldiers of the 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. spent a week at the field in preparation for combat exercise.
“I think this mission is critical for Soldiers because it gives them the experience of a combat environment so that when they deploy they will succeed,” said Sgt. Harris A. Eugene, a culinary noncommissioned officer, with 115th Quartermaster Field Feeding Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 4th Sustainment Brigade, 4th Inf. Div.
Supplies, food, water and fuel are just a few support teams that a field training requires. The Feeding Company provides Soldiers with hot meals throughout the day. They are equipped to make meals from scratch on location to avoid transporting food from cafeterias to the field.
“I think my job is super important for a mission like this,” said Eugene. “I feel like it boosts morale for everybody and it keeps everyone motivated, without cooks everyone would be down in the dirt eating Meals Ready to Eat.”
The water support team ensured the training exercise is equipped with drinkable and potable water. They either transport water to the field or can purify water. They play a vital role to ensure every Soldier is capable of completing their individual task.
“I really love my job, I get to come out here and work with machines that purify water,” said Alanna Maynard, a water treatment specialist with 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. “I love the science of it.”
Another part of the support team is the Supply Support Activity team, which manages the requisition, receipt, storage and distribution of supplies and equipment. The SSA consisted of a total of five tents including stock control, issue section and turn in, where customers get seen, storage section and receiving. The SSA manages to support the entire brigade regardless of the location. With only 27 Soldiers they were able to assist 13 customers.
“My favorite part of my job is to see my customers get the help they need,” said Chief Naushia Smith, a chief warrant officer with 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. “Getting an aircraft up and running, that's the best part.”
One of the most necessary support teams is the forward arming and refueling point which fuels aircrafts during field exercises.
“Nothing happens without fuel in the Army,” said Sgt. Maj. Jesus Jimenez, senior enlisted advisor for 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div.
On day five of the training the FARP had a malfunction and was unable to continue fueling aircrafts, with a helicopter on the pad and more in line to get fuel the FARP team had to act fast. The fuelers were involved in recovering and getting back to business. After multiple attempts to quickly fix the malfunction they connected to a nearby truck for assistance in pumping fuel, and were successful.
“I’ve never seen something like that,” said Sgt. Shyann Driskell, a petroleum supply specialist with 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. “We had to go from plan A to plan B and C, it really showed how important training is for situations like this that you do not expect to happen”
The 404th ASB, 4th CAB, 4th Inf. Div. completed the Mission Essential Tasks and will continue to stay battle ready. No job is less meaningful than the next, all components and personnel are essential for the success of a mission.
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| Date Taken: | 09.19.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 09.19.2022 22:35 |
| Story ID: | 429665 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 233 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 4CAB’s support team makes the mission possible, by SPC Brenda Salgado Morales, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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