CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea -- Soldiers in the Aviation field have a unique opportunity. It begins with learning their military occupational specialty and including how to support other elements needing air transportation.
Once job training is complete, Soldiers begin on-the-job training that is continuous, thereby enhancing skills for entry level and seasoned aviation Soldiers alike. Being stationed in the Republic of Korea provides an excellent opportunity to train. The constant influx of Soldiers makes training a top priority for peninsula Soldiers.
Second Infantry Division, the only permanently forward deployed division in the U.S. Army, has a mission to deter aggression and maintain peace on the Korea peninsula. Company C, 2nd Battalion (Assault), 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade provides support to many units on the Korean Peninsula to do its part in fulfilling the division's mission. 2-2 Avn. flew in soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, based in Camp Hovey and 6th Company, 2nd Battalion, 100th Regiment, 17th Division, Republic of Korea Army during an air assault at an undisclosed training area Aug. 2.
The 2nd Bn., 2nd Avn., Regt., has assisted 2nd Bn., 9th Inf. Regt., on many air assaults, live fire exercises, range gunneries and a host of other missions. Every quarter the two battalions conduct training together, the current commanders have been training their units together for over a year.
"We have trained with 2-2 Avn. a lot, they continuously support us in our training missions," said Lt. Col. Shawn P. Creamer, commander, 2nd Bn., 9th Inf. Regt., originally from Wisconsin. "2-2 Avn. recently supported the battalion by flying UH-60 Black Hawks to the southern portion of South Korea."
Most soldiers elect to complete a one-year tour in Korea, making turnover a constant reminder of the need to continue training for soldiers at all levels. Learning to navigate in and through Korea, getting acclimated to the weather conditions, are a few challenges Soldiers face during training.
"Continuous training is what the new Soldiers need to really learn their craft, and even seasoned Soldiers learn something from the missions we conduct, " said Cpt. Jesus E. Maldonado, commander of Company C., 2-2 Avn., from Miami, Fla. "Simple things such as learning the flight route are critical to success and readiness. "
Learning new skills is a top priority for 2nd Bn., 2nd Avn., Regt., incorporating new techniques and training will keep Soldiers agile and ready to 'fight tonight.' A difficult situation or environment can force Soldiers to put what they learned in training to use in a tactical situation.
In the future, the wild cards, plan to incorporate live artillery training along with 210th Fires Brigade, another Brigade within the 2nd Inf. Div.
"It's very important to incorporate new training. I want to take it to the next level, putting challenges in front of the soldiers to keep them sharp," said Maldonado. "I definitely appreciate the support 2-9th Inf. provides us, we've established a great relationship over the past year."
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