FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; and Airmen with the Air Mobility Command Expeditionary Air/Ground Liaison Element (EAGLE) Team from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, prepare to load a Stryker onto a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft March 25, 2021, at Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Pfc. Collin S. MacKown)
By Pfc. Collin S. MacKown
14th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Spc. Joseph Phelps with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, drives a Stryker onto a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft March 25, 2021, at Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Pfc. Collin S. MacKown)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, and an Air Mobility Command Expeditionary Air/Ground Liaison Element (EAGLE) Team from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, conducted a Joint Air Load training and fly-away exercise facilitated by the 22nd Airlift Squadron from Travis Air Force Base, California, and the 15th Airlift Squadron from Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina, from March 16-27, 2021, at Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group in Colorado Springs.
“The joint partnership is huge when it comes to strategic movement,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert Smith, mobility officer, 4th Inf. Div. “For us, we rely heavily on the Air Force to move our equipment.
We have to understand their ability and our ability to have the capability to download, upload, tie down and plan for these exercises that can take us far and beyond.”
Without joint training exercises such as this, the U.S. could lack rapid deployment capabilities.
“Today you are going to witness two expeditionary units: Air Force and Army working together collectively to rapidly push Strykers along with other equipment,” said Maj. Sadat Allhassan, division mobility officer, 4th Inf. Div.
The aircraft in use was a C-5M Super Galaxy, also called The Galaxy; it has more power, can carry more Strykers and can go anywhere around the world, explained Smith.
Smith also mentioned the C-5M aircraft is the largest aircraft in their fleet.
Being able to travel at a faster pace while holding more gear helps the 1st SBCT stay battle-ready and lethal for missions.
“I am definitely proud of working with the Air Force,” Smith added. “This training is huge, not
only for the Stryker units but for the infantry units on the installation.”
Smith said the training helped everyone understand their equipment thoroughly and have confidence when other missions demand similar efforts.
“Flying a plane like the C-5 has been a lifelong dream of mine,” said Capt. Jesse Calico, aircraft commander with 22nd Airlift Squadron, Travis Air Force Base, California. “We have 17 crewmembers aboard this C-5, we have pilots, flight engineers, loadmasters and flying crew chiefs.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Soldiers with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, prepare to load a Stryker onto a C-5M Super Galaxy aircraft March 25, 2021, at Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group in Colorado Springs. (Photo by Pfc. Collin S. MacKown)
When flying a large aircraft like the C-5M, harmonization between all members of every team is key to a successful mission.
“Coordination starts many hours before we have takeoff,” Calico said. “It involves getting fuel onboard, confirming the cargo and passenger numbers, flight planning and ultimately getting ready to have our aircraft off the ground.”
Joint training events can help create a bond between different branches of service, while also making the military as optimal as possible.
“I feel appreciative and grateful every day to work with such incredible teams,” Calico said.