FORT CARSON, Colorado -- Getting food and equipment out to austere environments can be challenging, using aircraft to assist combats that challenge.
An air crew assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion (3rd AHB), 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, using a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, conducted sling load training with Soldiers of 10th Special Forces Group (10th SFG) in Fort Carson's training area December 6, 2016.
"We were excited to support this training and put our aircraft skills to work for the ground Soldiers," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Christopher Coughlin, Blackhawk pilot, Company B, 3rd AHB. "Conducting air-assault operations is a timely and effective way to move equipment around the battlefield."
Members of 10th SFG practiced how to safely sling or "hook up" various loads to the utility helicopter and how to communicate with the aircraft crew using hand-and-arm signals and radios.
During the training, the team moved palletized equipment, 500 gallon water-blivets and for the first time ever on Fort Carson, snow machines, using the sling ropes, cargo nets and the aircraft.
"It's important that we continue increasing our capabilities and figure out how to best support the ground units," added Coughlin. "Being able to successfully sling-load the snow machines increases the capabilities for 10th Special Forces Group and the Army."
Prior to the training event, Air Assault-qualified leaders trained the Soldiers on where to be as the aircraft approached the load and how to properly secure the equipment to the aircraft.
As the aircraft maneuvered above the equipment, the Soldiers successfully completed their mission of communicating and hooking up the ropes so that the aircraft could move the load to another location and circle back for another.
"These Soldiers were very motivated and did a great job," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Adam Garrison, Blackhawk pilot, Company B, 3rd AHB. "I could see that they had received prior training and were comfortable despite some of them never conducting this type of training before using actual aircraft."
As the final sling load movement consisting of two snow mobiles, was completed, the air crew and ground Soldiers completed an after-action review of the operation to ensure they captured lessons learned for the next training event.
"This training ensured the Soldiers were trained and ready to execute air-assault operations," added Coughlin. "They now have a better understanding of one of the capabilities the aviators bring to the fight and we look forward to our future operations and training events together."
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