89B students build sling-loading skills for ammo at Fort McCoy

Dozens of students with the 89B Ammunition Supply Course (ASC) completed sling-load training June 27 at Sparta-Fort McCoy Airport as part of course training.

The ASC, taught by the 13th Battalion, 100th Regiment at Fort McCoy, is a four-week course that provides training for Soldiers who are reclassifying to the 89B military occupational specialty (MOS) - a specialty that's in high demand throughout the Army.

By Army definition, ammunition supply specialists are "Soldiers responsible for the management of ordnance to include ammunition and explosives."

Soldiers who are 89B-qualified are tasked with receiving, storing, and issuing conventional ammunition, guided missiles, large rockets, explosives, and other ammunition and explosive-related items. During the two phases of the course, the students learn all of the entry-level basics about the course, said course manager Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Dobitz.

The sling-load training is one of the last major training events during ASC.

"A sling load is used to transport munitions to remote locations or to expedite shipments in hostile locations," Dobitz said. "Being able to accomplish this is a critical task for the students as they will be responsible for this task in the future; along with this is all the associated paperwork and shipping documents.

"The components to complete a sling load include proper weighing of the load to ensure the proper aircraft is used, equipment serviceability checks, rigging to the proper standards, completion of the hookup to the helicopter, and proper use of hand and arm signals," Dobitz said. "Also, some higher-level tasks are discussed as value-added training, such as landing-zone site selection, hook-up team duties, safety considerations, and knowledge of hazards at landing zones."

The 13th, 100th is an ordnance battalion that provides training and training support to Soldiers in the ordnance maintenance MOS series.

The unit, aligned under the 3rd Brigade, 94th Division of the 80th Training Command, has been at Fort McCoy since about 1995.

Fort McCoy has supported America's armed forces since 1909. The installation's motto is to be the "Total Force Training Center." The post's varied terrain, state-of-the-art ranges, new as well as renovated facilities, and extensive support infrastructure combine to provide military personnel with an environment in which to develop and sustain the skills necessary for mission success.

Learn more about Fort McCoy online at www.mccoy.army.mil, on Facebook by searching "ftmccoy," and on Twitter by searching "usagmccoy."