FORT RUCKER, Ala. (Oct. 29, 2015) -- Military spouses play a vital role in the lives of Army Aviators, and Fort Rucker periodically gives those valued Army family members the opportunity to step into their Soldiers' boots and get a taste of the training that goes on day to day.
Fort Rucker spouses got the opportunity to get down and dirty during this year's Spouses' Aviation Day Oct. 22 when they tried their hand at flying, shooting, problem solving and survival skills.
The spouses were split into four groups in which they would tackle four different types of training that every Army Aviator must complete: flight simulation, firing range simulation, team-building skills and Helicopter Overwater Safety Training.
"We had so much fun," said Danielle Cahill, Army spouse and participant. "My husband challenged me to do this, so of course I had to take him up on the challenge."
For Cahill and fellow participant Pamela Burris, the team building exercise at the leaders reaction course was one of the most challenging events.
"The most difficult aspect of the day was probably the obstacle course," said Burris. "Trying to have the strength (to complete the task) and have everyone work together and get on the same page was hard. You can't just rely on yourself for that."
While on the course, the spouses had to figure out how to traverse an area with ammunition canisters using only the tools provided, which during some obstacles included long metal poles, while others utilized wooden planks. They were only allowed to step on areas covered in white, and areas marked in black were considered dead zones, which meant any object or person that touched the area would be considered out of action.
Each team had to safely get across the area with both ammo cans while getting their entire team across safely, as well.
Throughout the course of the day, the spouses were also able to get their hands on M-4 and M-16 rifles, as well as a Mark 19, a 50-caliber machine gun, and even a rocket launcher at the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 shooting range simulator. They started off firing at pop-up targets, before taking aim at turkeys, enemy troops and even tanks.
Although the simulators aren't live-fire exercises, the guns simulate the kickback of real weapons, according to EST 2000 officials.
The training at the HOST facility allowed the spouses to literally get their feet, and everything else, wet as they suited up and got in the water. They had to swim under water along a designated area to open a hatch, simulating being trapped in an aircraft underwater.
Although they weren't taken for a ride in the full simulator that would submerge them in an enclosed space, simulating a downed helicopter, Burris said the exercise they had to complete was challenging enough.
"It was really tough," she said. "Trying to swim and find your way to a door underwater was really challenging and harder than it seems."
One of the highlights of the day, however, is when the spouses get to fly high in the flight simulators at Warrior Hall.
There they get to experience what it's like to operate different airframes, such as OH-58D Kiowas, CH-47 Chinooks and UH-60 Black Hawks.
Cahill said that although the experience was fun, she understands that the training is serious for Soldiers and it gave her a greater appreciation for what her Soldier must go through.
"Of course this gives me a greater appreciation for what he does," she said, "but, at the same time, I'm hoping that him being home with the twins also gives him a greater appreciation for what I do."
A graduation ceremony was held at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum where the spouses received their wings, but the ceremony was meant for more than congratulations -- it was a way for leadership to say "thank you" for the support that military spouses provide.
"I really want to thank all of you for coming out to participate," said Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general. "I think it's great for you to be able to come out and be able to understand a little bit better about what it is your spouses do. Whether they fly or support Aviation, this should give you an idea of some of the training that they go through and what it means to be part of Army Aviation.
"I'd also like to thank you for the support that you provide your spouses," he continued. "We're really busy as a Branch and as an Army, and we couldn't do the things that we do today without your support and your encouragement -- and sometimes tough love. I think it's very important that we take time out of our busy days to be able to provide these kinds of opportunities for you."
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