Fort Riley aviation Soldiers team with Airmen for deployment exercise

By Sgt. Keven Parry, Combat Aviation Brigade Public AffairsApril 5, 2012

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Soldiers from the 601st Aviation Support Battalion, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division conducted an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise at Marshall Army Airfield March 30.

The exercise was in support of Task Force 3-1, a CAB task force charged with the mission of being the aviation support to the Army's Global Response Force.

Capt. Coleman Harris, the deputy support operations officer with the 601st ASB, said that the purpose of the exercise was to test the brigade's capability to provide the necessary support if the task force is mobilized.

"If anything, it was a great training opportunity," he said.

The exercise involved landing an Air Force C-17 Globemaster at MAAF and loading various aircraft and support vehicles used by TF 3-1 into the large cargo airplane.

For most of the Soldiers involved in the exercise, this was the first time they had worked with a C-17 aircraft.

Sgt. 1st Class Robert McClinton, the production control noncommissioned officer in charge for B Company, 601st ASB, said that the exercise allowed Soldiers to do something new relating to their work while providing the leadership with an assessment of the battalion's capabilities.

"I think the highlight was seeing the training and seeing (the Soldiers) motivated," he said.

CAB Soldiers worked with Air Force pilots and load masters to ensure proper procedures were followed and determine the best method for transporting helicopters and support equipment on the airplane.

During the exercise, 601st ASB leaders and planners relied heavily on the experience and knowledge of both Army and Air Force subject matter experts to ensure the mission was carried out effectively.

"You can never make up for (experience)," said Capt. Nate Blackford, the B Co., 601st ASB maintenance platoon leader. "We learned a tremendous amount."

CAB Soldiers and leaders involved in the exercise learned what it takes to mobilize the task force and feel confident in their ability to successfully support any operation that may come up, Harris said.

"Everything was done safely, everything was done efficiently, and we got the mission done," he said. "When we get an order, the 601st will have the capability to push the Task Force out successfully."

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