FORT SILL, Okla. -- Fourth Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery continued training by certifying unit air load teams for an upcoming Contingency Expeditionary Force mission.
Battalion personnel convoyed with over 30 pieces of equipment to Altus Air Force Base for hands-on training.
Altus Air Force Base is home to the 97th Operational Support Squadron, which instructs personnel on the proper loading, securing and unloading of equipment on the C-17 Globemaster jet. In this instance, 97th OSS Airmen assisted in teaching Soldiers proper loading, tie-down and unloading procedures.
Tech. Sgt Donnie McCorkle, 97th OSS load master, was eager and happy to assist in the training.
"This has been great for us to do the real hands-on loading process. We are keeping our proficiency and the Soldiers are getting training which is a great way to enhance the relationship between the Army and Air Force," he said.
For new Soldiers out of Advanced Individual Training (AIT) this was their first chance to get this hands-on-training.
"This is giving me the basic knowledge I need of loading my equipment which I haven't learned yet, this isn't something you learn in AIT," said Pfc. Nicholas Murray, D Battery, 4-3rd ADA. "This partnership is great; they have resource we don't, so being able to rely on one another helps both branches work together."
Sgt. Kanon Bouldin, Headquarters Battery, 4-3rd ADA said the training showed new Soldiers the whole process of deploying for Soldiers and their equipment.
Capt. Michael Savageau, C Battery, 4-3rd ADA commander, stressed the importance of the training in regard to overall mission readiness.
"This training is going very well so far, It is beneficial to the air load teams and the Soldiers. The convoy operations to Altus from Fort Sill were great as well," he said. "This gives them the appreciation of maintaining their equipment and knowing the importance of keeping it mission ready."
Overall the air load training was a beneficial event with the Army and Air Force gaining the experience and training needed to maintain and increase their levels of proficiency.
"The Air Force and Army work well together because we both benefit from this type of event. They create this training, but they also get training of their own," said Sgt. 1st Class Tony Coleman, A Battery, 4-3rd ADA.
The battalion will assume its CEF mission later this year and be part of a global contingency expeditionary force that can rapidly deploy if called upon.
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