FORT A.P. HILL, Va. - The aeronautical and tactical display of a Longbow Apache Attack Helicopter, and the pilots that fly them can at times take away from the vast amount of personnel needed to sustain an aerial assault aircraft, such as the AH-64D.
Soldiers assigned to the North Carolina Army National Guard's 1-130th Attack Reconnaissance Battalion have been honing their basic Soldier skills as well as their military specific skills, during their two-week annual training, here, since April 11, 2015.
"The 1-130th ARB is comprised of over 20 different MOS (military occupational specialty) qualified categories to include maintenance, headquarters, cook services, supply, fuel, ammunition distribution, water purification specialist, armament and pilots to name a few," said Staff Sgt. Geoff Gray Edwards, assigned to Echo Company, 1-130th ARB.
All the Soldiers assigned to the 1-130th ARB play a critical role in completing the Total Army concept for the battalion, ensuring the proper support is needed to complete any given mission. The Total Army concept integrates many different skill sets within the force to achieve a unilateral goal.
While the pilots executed aerial gunnery task in their Apache helicopters to maintain proficiency, many other flight-line aviation Soldiers got the opportunity hone their support skills with the Apache helicopters.
"As far as closeness and accuracy to training for real life, it's dead on," said Sgt. Douglas Dove, an armament Soldier with Delta Company, 1-130th ARB. "What we do is make sure the aircraft is fully loaded with ammunition and rockets, troubleshoot any electrical or other problems, ensure the fueling has come and basically take care of the aircraft."
In the midst of the Apache pilots and crew performing their specific task, medical tents were set up, fueling points were established, the tactical operations center was engaged in the operation planning, cooks were preparing food for the Soldiers, and flight operators were coordinating with the control tower.
All Soldiers were engaged, as if they would be performing their duties in theatre.
The Apache pilots were not the only individuals sharpening their weapon systems skills. Soldiers assigned to Echo Company, 1-130th ARB, which comprise the majority of the support element for the battalion, received vital training and familiarization with combat firing on the firing ranges as well.
"Our purpose is to serve as the forward support company for the 1-130th ARB, in the case that we do go into combat or a forward operating base area, we would be the security and force support for that battalion," said Edwards.
The Echo company Soldiers lined up to be issued their ammunition for the M-249 and M-240B machine guns at the ammo distribution point on the range, and assumed a prone unsupported position on the firing line, focusing their sights on pop-up targets 50, 75, and 100 meters away.
"We are getting these Soldiers back to the warrior task level training skills and these crew-serve weapons and individual-squad weapons would be our first line of defense if we were to encounter any kind of opposition," said Edwards.
The combination of Soldier skills and job specific duties trained during the 1-130th ARB annual training encapsulated the necessary functions needed for the support of the battalion's mission to the State of North Carolina and U.S. Army.
"Without a doubt, the 1-130th Attack Recon Battalion continues to maintain a high level of readiness and are always ready to support our nations call," said Lt. Col. Joseph Bishop, 1-130th ARB commander.
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