6-6 Cavalry Soldiers gunning for readiness

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Rockets and cannon fire filled the air at Fort Drum, from Nov. 28 to Friday, as 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, conducted its first aerial gunnery since transitioning to a heavy attack reconnaissance squadron in September.

The gunnery qualified crews to train in combined-arms live-fire exercises (CALFEX) with other units, fulfilling a key task needed to support 10th Mountain Division (LI)'s and the Army's training in the future.

"Conducting simultaneous aerial and ground gunnery within three months after the squadron reformed as an H-ARS allowed the troops to test multiple new systems and (standard operating procedures) including (Forward Ammunition and Refueling Point) operations, convoys and aircraft maintenance under demanding flight schedules," said Lt. Col. Mathieu Petraitis, 6-6 Cavalry commander. "Leaders were able to exercise disciplined initiative while mitigating and accepting prudent risk to complete their tasks."

The 6-6 Cavalry received the last half of its fleet of aircraft in August. The squadron transitioned from OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircrafts to AH-64D Apache Longbows as part of the Army's Aviation Restructuring Initiative (ARI). The initiative is an ongoing project across Army Aviation to update its aviation assets and doctrine while streamlining the cost effectiveness of its mission support for years to come.

With the equipment transition came a large personnel transition. Seeking to fulfill the Army's priority of readiness, the squadron conducted ground ranges simultaneously with the aerial gunnery. At the end of the two weeks, the gunnery qualified 6-6 Cavalry's Soldiers with seven different ground weapon systems and its Apache teams as ready to fly and fire together with other units.

The squadron set an early goal of conducting aerial gunnery, but winter weather complicated scheduled training times. By remaining flexible, having its crews n standby every day and always prepared for flight, the squadron persevered in its training.

Persistent and adaptive Soldiers enabled the squadron to train on the ground and in the air simultaneously. The gunnery also validated several new standard operating procedures for the squadron, including E Troop's Forward Ammunition and Refueling Point operations and Headquarters Troop's Command Post operations.

"It was exciting to see the squadron synch up and support Bravo Troop in our gunnery and showcase all the hard work we have been doing over the past months," said Capt. Joseph Lanham, commander of B Troop, 6-6 Cavalry. "The entire gunnery was a great opportunity for our new pilots to see how it all fits together while getting some trigger pulls in."

Soldiers of 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment will continue to train as a unit to support the 10th Mountain Division (LI)'s and Army's future training needs.

Newman serves with 6-6 Cavalry.