A CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, delivers a supply container to the Soldiers of 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th CAB, during a tactical operations center exercise conducted in the Fort Carson training area, Oct. 17-21, 2016. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Erin Williams)
Soldiers assigned to 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, unload a CH-47 Chinook helicopter assigned to 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Aviation Regiment, 4th CAB, during a tactical operations center exercise conducted in the Fort Carson training area Oct. 17-21, 2016. (Photo by 2nd Lt. Erin Williams)
By 2nd Lt. Erin Williams
404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division
Providing critical support to an aviation brigade can be challenging. Simultaneously conducting a field exercise including sling-load operations increases the challenge.
The 404th Aviation Support Battalion Soldiers did just that in the Fort Carson training area Oct. 17-21, 2016.
Soldiers assigned to Headquarters Support Company, 404th Aviation Support Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, deployed roughly 75 Soldiers and staff members during the tactical operations center exercise (TOCEX).
Starting with an early morning vehicle convoy, the unit moved necessary equipment and personnel out to the location where Soldiers would set up their battalion tactical operations center and conduct critical training on the battalion’s battle drills, validate tactical standard operating procedures and verify the unit’s mission essential task list.
“It is imperative that we train as we fight,” said Lt. Col. James Barber, commander, 404th ASB. “Conducting this training event afforded us the opportunity to validate our procedures and collectively train on our battle drills.”
As the battalion prepares for upcoming training, this exercise serves as the second phase of the Army’s “crawl-walk-run” training model and incorporates the staff functions.
“Possessing the ability to deploy and establish our operations center in a tactical environment is a critical task,” said Maj. Toshihide Sasaki, executive officer, 404th ASB. “After completing this exercise we have proven our ability to not only do this but also learned some valuable lessons as to where we can improve to maximize our efforts and abilities.”
After establishing the TOC, which included the primary staff functions, a functional medical aid station and a mobile dining facility, known as a combat kitchen, with the capacity to provide hot meals to the troops. The site also included a maintenance tent and company command post providing mission control over the exercise.
“I am very pleased with the outcome of this exercise, starting with the convoy out and ending with a fully operational operations center,” said Capt. Jason Dingbaum, commander, Headquarters Support Company, 404th ASB. “The goal was to validate our process of deploying and establishing a TOC, and I am confident that we met that intent.”
While in the field, the unit focused on multiple mission essential tasks, one of them being conducting and supporting sling-load operations.
Coordination for a CH-47 Chinook helicopter was completed, affording the unit a delivery of critical supplies to the training areas. The cargo helicopter crew with support from Soldiers on the ground successfully delivered the supply container and then conducted a tactical movement of numerous Soldiers.
“It was great to be able to get out to the field and conduct realistic training with actual aircraft,” added Sasaki. “Some of these Soldiers had never even been in a Chinook before, so that was a great opportunity for them.”
Once the training objectives were met, the TOC was taken down and packed, but the training was not complete.
A convoy back to the unit headquarters was followed by the beginning of recovery operations.
“To ensure the readiness of our unit, it is important that we train hard and also that we factor in time to recover the equipment that we heavily rely upon,” said Dingbaum. “By properly taking care of ourselves and our equipment, we will ensure our readiness to complete any mission.”
The Soldiers are better prepared to move through the battalion’s upcoming training progression, according to Barber.
“I am proud of the competence and professionalism displayed by all our Soldiers throughout this exercise,” said Barber. “It better prepares them for the upcoming training events which will include full-scale operations including a battalion-level field training exercise.”