FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division (LI), provided aviation support to the airmen of the 274th Air Support Operation Squadron, out of Syracuse, during a paradrop training event Saturday at Fort Drum.

Also involved in the exercise were airmen from the 113th Air Support Operations Squadron and parachute riggers and jump masters from the 165th Quartermaster Company, both out of Indiana, and a CH-47 from the New York Army National Guard from Rochester.

This mission, however, was particularly significant for the 2-10 Aviation flight crews and the 274th ASOS airmen, as this was the first time both branches had collaborated together for parachute operations training.

"This is a task we don't do often," said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Peter Latham, 2-10 Aviation air mission commander. "It's always a great opportunity when you get to work with other agencies. We all say and do things differently, so it's good to come together and hash out the little details and differences that exist in between."

According to Senior Master Sgt. Eric Muller, superintendent for the 274th ASOS, personnel successfully executed 70 T-10 parachute static line jumps from four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters during the six-hour training event. Before that, the 274th ASOS and the 2-10 Aviation flight crew conducted multiple rehearsals, along with jump refresher training, as a way to mitigate the risks of up to seven aircrafts operating in a single area.

"(The 2-10 Aviation Regiment's) priorities and emphasis was on training and safety, but accepting risk in order to integrate with parachutists and U.S. Air Force personnel," Muller said. "Their willing-

ness to train, adapt and integrate multiple assets into a small area showcased their ability and adaptability in joint operations. Their willingness and desire to increase the level of training that benefited all parties was truly exceptional."

As the mission came to an end, all units involved successfully met their intended training objectives. The 2-10 Aviation Regiment qualified seven pilots and 16 crew chiefs on paradrop operations, and the 274th ASOS effectively completed their parachute training operations with multiple air players.

When asked about future training with the 2-10 Aviation, Muller said, "absolutely!"

"We plan on conducting fast rope training, integrating them into live-fly and live-fire missions on a range," he said. "This will increase the level of training for all parties by integrating and accounting for all assets that will increase our combat preparedness and overall readiness.

"Joint warfare is paramount as a (joint terminal attack controller), and integrating with the 2-10 Aviation Regiment is the right direction for realistic training scenarios."