News>Airmen graduate Air Assault Course with Soldiers
Photos
Airmen and Soldiers rappel out of a UH-60 Blackhawk May 10, 2011, in Wahiawa, Hawaii. Five 647th Security Forces Squadron Airmen were chosen to participate with 309 Soldiers in an 11-day Army Air Assault course April 30 to May 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick)
Senior Airman Jordan Miller studies Air Assault Course curriculum with fellow Airmen and Soldiers May 10, 2011, in Wahiawa, Hawaii. He and four other 647th Security Forces Squadron Airmen were chosen to participate with 309 Soldiers in an 11-day Army Air Assault course April 30 to May 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick)
Instructors from the Warrior Training Center at Ft. Benning, Ga., teach Airmen and Soldiers how to sling load a vehicle during the Air Assault course in Wahiawa, Hawaii, May 4, 2010. Five 647th Security Forces Squadron Airmen were chosen to participate with 309 Soldiers in this intense 11-day course April 30 to May 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick)
Senior Airman Jordan Miller rappels out of a UH-60 Blackhawk May 10, 2011, in Wahiawa, Hawaii. He and four other 647th Security Forces Squadron Airmen were chosen to participate with 309 Soldiers in an 11-day Army Air Assault course April 30 to May 11, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick)
by Staff Sgt. Carolyn Herrick
Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Public Affairs
5/11/2011 - WAHIAWA, Hawaii (AFNS) -- Three Airmen graduated the Army Air Assault course here May 11, after 11 days of training.
Five Airmen from the 647th Security Forces Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, and 309 Soldiers, many from the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, started the course, and only about half graduated.
"They're doing something highly regarded in the Army," said Staff Sgt. Brett Lafreniere, the NCO in charge of training for the 647th SFS. "When we go downrange and do joint operations, whether it's in a deployed environment or a training environment, showing other services we're stepping out and conducting difficult training like this really sets us apart."
Air assault school is extremely tough, he said. There are a lot of challenges set before the students, both physically and mentally. There are written tests and field practicals, many of which are timed.
"When you combine all those in an 11-day period, it really gets difficult because you're constantly on the move, you're working 18-hour days in many cases, and you constantly have to adapt and overcome the challenges of the course," Sergeant Lafreniere said.
In order to graduate, these Airmen and Soldiers had to learn about combat assault operations; complete two long road marches, a run, and an obstacle course; sling load cargo; and rappel out of UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from 90 feet in the air, among other things, he said.
"In terms of real-world application for security forces, there have been Air Force units that have conducted air assault missions, and there's always that possibility of being attached to an Army unit," said Sergeant Lafreniere, who has completed sniper and air assault schools and is also a pathfinder.
Air assault is very significant in modern-day operations in Afghanistan, said Army Sfc. Daniel Wade, Bravo Company, the air assault NCO in charge.
"Rappelling operations were just used by the forces that went in and got Osama bin Laden," said Sergeant Wade, who's been in the Army since 1995 and deployed to perform convoy operations in Iraq in 2008.
He was impressed by how well the Airmen in attendance performed alongside their fellow Soldiers. The Air Force usually gets only two percent of the available class slots, but they come in shape and ready and are prepared prior to even attending the course, he said.
"This is not your average Soldier who completes the course," Sergeant Wade said. "It's a Soldier who not only meets, but exceeds standards; has self motivation; and wants to do more than the norm - and that's just to get into the course. To succeed, it's someone who's put in a lot of work and stayed physically fit and mentally tough on a day-to-day basis."
Comments
5/16/2011 9:58:50 PM ET Don't hate on these guys. They worked hard to get where they are at. Regardless of whether they needed the training or not. There are plenty of Army soldiers who do not need this course either. Map makers, paralegal, drivers, why do they deserve the slots more than our airmen? Be proud of these guys they represented our branch and stood out as the best of the best. Good Job guys.
SF, Hawaii
5/13/2011 6:46:48 AM ET Most people who need this course don't get it, and most people who get it don't need it.
Sgt Whoever, conus
5/13/2011 3:34:21 AM ET 19-07 Ft. Campbell. AASLT was a joke.
Jay, TX
5/12/2011 12:51:29 PM ET Like the other story about the Airmen who completed Ranger training, this is another good news story showing how Airmen can train, compete and succeed with their fellow servicemen. Hope these opportunities can continue for other Airmen. Well done.
ROF, COS CO
5/11/2011 10:47:59 PM ET Excellent work. It's proof that even the Air Force SF can pull the same training as the Army can. I salute to all excellent joint ops Army.
Denton, Kansas
5/11/2011 9:23:22 PM ET Glad to see more Airmen going to Air Assault. Myself and about 8 others as ROTC cadets went to the home of air assault, Ft.Campbell, and earned our Air Assault wings. Outstanding program. Does the USAF good to have Airmen who understand the stresses, environment and differences we have with our U.S. Army brethren. AIR ASSAULT!
