New 101st CAB Soldiers learn ins, outs

By Sgt. Tracy Weeden, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)February 6, 2012

New CAB Soldiers learn ins, outs
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FORT POLK, La., Feb. 3, 2012 -- New Soldiers of the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade's Task Force Shadow are preparing for the unknown at the Joint Readiness Training Center during the month of January.

Veteran Soldiers have confidence in their abilities to operate and survive a deployment because they have done it before, while the new Soldiers do not have the benefit of experience.

Soldiers like Pvt. Larry Corwin, who recently enlisted and has no deployment experience, are unsure of their capabilities.

Corwin enlisted last year to become a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter maintainer, and joined D Company, 6th Battalion, 101st CAB at Fort Campbell, where he is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan with Task Force Shadow.

He has wanted to be a Soldier since he was a boy, said Corwin, who joined when he was 23 years old.

"Our new Soldiers want to know that they are trained for the mission they will see while deployed," said Lt. Col. Joel Aoki, 6th Bn., 101st CAB commander. "This is a premier training venue to allow Soldiers to conduct task force operations and put them in situations that allow them to operate outside their normal duties, solving problems and allowing them to succeed."

While the Army is careful to limit the time Soldiers spend away from home due to frequent deployments, Task Force Shadow is taking advantage of this training opportunity for the benefit of every Soldier.

"As a unit we are concerned with managing the amount of time we are away from home station, which limits our time in the field," said Aoki. "However, we focus on training based on our operational requirements."

Corwin had the opportunity to experience deployment style missions, preparing him and fellow untried Soldiers.

He was able to participate in downed aircraft recovery missions, where helicopter maintainers venture into hostile territory to return sensitive items, equipment and aircraft back to safety.

Corwin enjoyed his experience at JRTC, where he was able to gain the confidence of his leaders and trust in himself to overcome any fears he had before, he said.

"I am really looking forward to this deployment," said Corwin. "I feel more prepared than before coming here."

Corwin said he has always been fascinated with mechanics, working on cars which is why he chose to work on helicopters in the Army.

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