Posted on 12/07/2009 3:41:39 PM PST by SandRat
Pvt. 2nd Class Cheston K. Bun, 1st Battalion (Air Assault) 377th Field Artillery Regiment, Bravo Battery Air Reactionary Force, leads a group of Iraqi commandos through a helicopter loading drill during recent training at Camp Wessam in Basrah. Photo by Spc. Maurice Galloway, 17th Fires Brigade.
BASRAH — A group of 14th Iraqi Army commandos recently underwent an intense week of training here at Camp Wessam, honing their helicopter familiarity.
The course, taught by U.S. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion (Air Assault), 377th Field Artillery Regiment, "B" Battery (Bulldogs), Air Reactionary Force (ARF), was more of a refresher, as many of the commandos had already gone through similar training in the past.
The course focused on using proper techniques at landing zones, loading and unloading from helicopters in secure and unsecure locations and establishing perimeter security in hostile and friendly environments.
"These commandos approached the training with the right attitude and an eagerness to learn," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeff L. Keese, "B" Battery platoon sergeant and ARF training instructor.
The 1-377th Soldiers put the commandos through an intense yet repetitive regiment of drills that focused on making procedures second nature for them.
"When the call comes in and we're needed in the air, there isn't much time to think; you have to be able to just react," said Spc. William C. Mautler, "B" Battery cannon crew member. "It's for that exact reason that we're making them go over the same drills five- to- six times, so when the time comes they'll be ready without a shadow of a doubt."
The drills took the commandos through the intricate process of responding to an incident by air, replicating each step they would be faced with during an actual response.
"We can't simulate the noise that the choppers make, but we can teach them to communicate without being able to hear," said Pvt. Cheston K. Bun, "B" Battery cannon crew member and native of Philadelphia, Pa. "The hand signals that we use are universal and the commandos have picked up on them at a much more rapid pace than we had anticipated."
Although much of the training was done on the ground, each of the groups did have the opportunity to conduct an actual flight response patrol.
"We are thankful for all of the training that our U.S. partners have provided," said 1st Lt. Jassim, commando platoon leader, 14th Iraqi Army. "They have placed a great deal in making sure that we will able to conduct operations on our own in the future."
“Air Reactionary Force (ARF)”
OK, I’ll bite -
I have heard of
MIKE Force
Hatchet Force
Quick Reaction Force
A Brit Air Reaction Force
An Army Consequence Management Reaction Force (CCMRF) (PC enuf?) AKA Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) Consequence Management Reaction Force (CCMRF)
But as they say in the movies
I ain’t never heard of no Air Reactionary Force (ARF)
did they really mean Air Reaction Force - t as usuall the MSM botched it?
MAke me smarter SandRat, I live to learn....
Came from article at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28872&Itemid=128
Reactionary Force teaches IA commandos
Monday, 07 December 2009
By Spc. Maurice Galloway
17th Fires Brigade
Not MSM.
Came from article at http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=28872&Itemid=128
Reactionary Force teaches IA commandos
Monday, 07 December 2009
By Spc. Maurice Galloway
17th Fires Brigade
Not MSM.
Seems Mau - rice has confused this vet.
Is this some kind of new outfit? All search hits come back to this single article....
Got me.
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