FORT SILL, Okla. Sept. 11, 2014 -- The 75th Field Artillery Brigade exercised with 1st Squadron, 6th Air Cavalry Sept. 4-5 here.
First-6th Cav is stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., and is part of 1st Infantry Division's Combat Aviation Brigade. The training event was a rare occurrence for the 75th, as the brigade trains on the suppression of air defense missions, but never with actual aviation assets close by.
"The Air Force relies on our rockets and missiles to suppress the enemy so they have a safe path to their targets," said 1st Lt. Nick Bowers, 75th FA Brigade fire control officer.
Although the Air Force was not training, 1-6th Cav's maneuvers simulated having jets flying nearby. Helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft follow the same protocols in the air when a unit is firing artillery. It takes a lot of planning and coordination to ensure aviation assets are safe in the air while rockets are flying at targets in their direction.
"It is important that we're able to synchronize our fires with the helicopters in the air, because if they fly in the area before all the rounds land, the effects on the ground can damage the helicopters in the air," explained Bowers.
"We set up air corridors that restrict movement of air assets for a certain amount of time. Once the final round lands, the helicopters can fly in and engage their targets," he continued. "It's pretty impressive to see it happen -- even if it's training."
Synchronizing training with artillery units is not common for aviation units. A majority of the time, aviation assets will simulate artillery during their training. Chief Warrant Officer 2 Clayton Cable was one of the 14 OH-58 Kiowa pilots who flew the four-hour flight from Fort Riley, for the training here.
"We don't do too much training with artillery, so this is really cool to do," said Cable. "Actually, I have never done this with live rounds. It's a bit eerie to see a rocket coming at [your direction] while you're in the air."
The Kiowa helicopter is an aerial platform that flies reconnaissance and security missions. During operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, they performed many close combat attack missions, supporting forces on the ground that were in contact with enemy forces.
After 13 years of counter-insurgency style combat, 1-6th Cav is returning back to traditional training for linear wars. It is important for these Kiowa pilots to learn how to call for fire while in the air so they can continue their mission.
"Artillery is our primary means to continue if we get in contact," said Cable. "If we can use artillery instead of our weapons, we will use it."
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