FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (Nov. 5, 2015) -- Artillerymen with the 101st Airborne Division Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), conducted sling-load training Oct. 29 - Nov. 5 with the support of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade from the New York National Guard.
The division's CAB, which typically supports the maneuver forces of the 101st, is currently deployed in Afghanistan, limiting the opportunities for units to conduct air assault training.
"The previous DIVARTY aviation officer worked since April 2015 to line this training up with the National Guard and our division in order to facilitate our Air Assault proficiency," said Lt. Col. Bryan Schott, the commander of 3rd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, DIVARTY. "In total, we had three different National Guard CABs willing to support our training because they don't get the opportunity to conduct this type of training, and it allows them to qualify on cross-country flights. The 42nd CAB was able to support in a reasonable time and the cost was feasible for their movement down to Fort Campbell."
The missions included tandem Air Assaults with fire support and leader vehicles inserted into a drop zone followed by both the howitzer and their prime mover Humvee linked together in a single sling load. The tandem configuration would then conduct fire support operations and would then hook their howitzers up and move to follow on firing points conducting additional missions in support of simulated friendly forces.
They also performed gun raids, where the aviators from the 42nd CAB would insert the M119A3 or M777A2 howitzers into a firing point, the artillery would conduct fire support operations and then the guns and crews would be extracted by the helicopters.
"Typically we come in a raid configuration, which is just the howitzer and the intent it just to hit the ground, fire and then you get pulled out by the helicopters," said Capt. Jeremy Blascak, commander of Battery A, 3rd Bn., 320th FAR. "There's kind of pros and cons for both, but today we wanted to focus on how to fly in with your Humvee, how to fly in with a leader vehicle, the fire direction center and then not just fire your mission and then fly away, but to fire your mission and be prepared to take on a follow on order and support your maneuver element."
In addition to allowing the DIVARTY Soldiers the opportunity to conduct their training and increase their proficiency in supporting the division's maneuver forces, the pairing with the 42nd CAB allowed them to practice the integration of Reserve component forces into active duty Army training.
The Army recently began conducting Total Army Force Training, such as eXportable Combat Training Capability rotations, which pair Reserve units with an active duty brigade combat team, allowing for both forces to conduct training and certifications before deploying in support of contingency operations.
"I think it is an incredible opportunity for both units. The National Guard and Reserve components bring so much experience and capability with them that integrating them into training is easy," said Schott. "In reality, we have been working with them for the last two months as we have planned our training. It has been great to get the opportunity to meet them all face to face and thank them for their support and professionalism."
The 3rd Bn., 320th FAR recently returned from an XCTC rotation at Camp Grayling, Michigan, where they conducted numerous gun raids, providing support to the Ohio National Guard, highlighting the capabilities the two components can bring to the fight and validating the Army's total force concept. The training also helped the Soldiers feel more confident working together and prepared them for the wide range of missions they may face in future missions.
"Naturally, they aren't training everyday like we are, so it takes a little bit more coordination ahead of time," said Blascak. "We have to sit down a little bit more face-to-face and talk about the specifics, but as far as the training we had up in Camp Grayling, Michigan, and then here at Fort Campbell with the National Guard, from the outside looking in, you wouldn't notice a difference."
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