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By Maj. Dale Greer/123rd Airlift Wing Public Affairs
The Air Mobility Command's first-ever homeland security/homeland defense Operational Readiness Inspection tested three units' warfighting capabilities on U.S. soil by evaluating their response to a series of terrorist attacks while maintaining airlift operations. The exercise was a Total Force effort, with the Kentucky Air National Guard's 123rd Airlift Wing serving as the lead unit, the active-duty Air Force's 317th Airlift Group providing aviation assets, and the Air Force Reserve's 70th Aerial Port Squadron delivering cargo-handling capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flora)
KENTUCKY AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, LOUISVILLE, Ky.(May 28, 2010) — The Kentucky Air National Guard’s 123rd Airlift Wing scored another entry in the history books May 16-23 when it successfully completed the Air Mobility Command’s first-ever homeland-defense Operational Readiness Inspection.
“For the very first time, the U.S. Air Force has validated a wing’s wartime capabilities to defend the homeland by fighting an enemy right here on U.S. soil,” said Col. Greg Nelson, commander of the 123rd Airlift Wing. “That represents a major shift in the way the Air Force evaluates unit readiness, because it puts the focus in our own backyard, rather than a simulated overseas location where these evaluations are usually staged.
“I’m pleased to say that the 123rd Airlift Wing passed this new test with flying colors. We are ready to perform our mission any time, anywhere, whether it be in support of our allies abroad or here at home in defense of the United Sates of America.”
The wing received an overall grade of “excellent” for the inspection, which tested its ability to mobilize personnel and equipment, fly to a remote site, operate in a hostile stateside environment, complete multiple airlift sorties, defend against enemy attacks, and redeploy back home — all while inspectors evaluated every phase of the operation.
Members of the 123rd Airlift Wing depart the Kentucky Air National Guard Base in Louisville, Ky., on May 18, 2010 en route to Gulfport, Miss., for an Air Mobility Command Operational Readiness Inspection. The ORI was the first ever to test a unit's capabilities in defense of the homeland. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Dennis Flora)
The inspection results were announced by the AMC Inspector General during a May 25 out-brief in the Base Annex.
The ORI was unusually challenging, Colonel Nelson told a crowd of more than 400 wing members who gathered for the out-brief, because of extreme weather conditions and several eleventh-hour changes mandated by the non-availability of infrastructure.
“We didn’t flinch, we didn’t whine, we didn’t push back to any challenge, from changes in taskings, to changes in locations to changes in facilities at the last minute,” he said. “(With temperatures hovering near 100 degrees), it also was the hottest ORI the team chief had even seen.
“But we maintained a great attitude, we operated safely, and we performed our mission with a level of excellence that makes me proud. This is our passion. We come from the Minutemen, when this nation was formed. We pick up arms, and we protect our neighbors and our families right here in the United States.
“There’s a reason we just received our 14th Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, and it’s because we are an outstanding wing. This ORI was equally outstanding because the IG evaluated how we provide our capabilities in the United States.
“So write this down in your diaries: You are the first wing to be wartime-validated in support of the security and defense of the United States of America. That’s huge.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the 123rd Airlift Wing, because you gave it your all.”
Kentucky’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, was equally pleased by the inspection results.
“(AMC) didn’t need to grade this unit for me to know about its high level of excellence,” General Tonini told the audience. “For 41 years, I’ve known of the excellence of the Kentucky Air National Guard. But this has got to be one of the best days I’ve had in the 41-plus years I’ve been in this uniform. I want to thank each and every one of you for what you’ve done. You did it like the great Airmen that you are.”
The wing’s ORI scenario required more than 300 Kentucky Air Guardsmen to establish operations at the Gulfport Combat Readiness Training Center in Gulfport, Miss., where they merged with about 175 troops from two other units to form the notional 104th Air Expeditionary Wing.
Those additional units were the active-duty Air Force’s 317th Airlift Group from Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, and the Air Force Reserve’s 70th Aerial Port Squadron from Homestead Air Reserve Base, Fla.
With the 123rd serving as the lead unit, all three organizations worked seamlessly together to launch multiple theater airlift sorties across the Gulf Coast region, supporting U.S. Northern Command missions and civil authorities while defending against multiple attacks by well-organized terrorists.
The homeland-defense scenario differed markedly from those of traditional ORIs, which task units to deploy to simulated overseas locations and fight conventional military forces, Colonel Nelson said.
The new approach, implemented by Air Mobility Command for the first time here, represents a fundamental shift in thinking that more accurately reflects the military realities of a post-9/11 world in which homeland defense has taken center stage, he said.
Colonel Nelson noted that the idea for a homeland security/homeland defense ORI originated at the Kentucky Air Guard, whose leaders asked AMC to consider using the alternate approach to evaluate the 123rd.
“Almost everything that an airlift wing would do in support of a real-world homeland security/homeland defense mission — whether it be response to a terrorist attack on U.S. soil or humanitarian aid following a hurricane — would be in support of a lead civilian agency at the federal, state or local level. As a result, the overall command and control aspects are completely different from those of an overseas operation.
“So we took our plan to the IG and said, ‘You need to evaluate us on this.’ They thought our approach had a lot of merit and agreed to implement it on a trial basis. A lot of changes were required to make this approach work, but the IG developed new scenarios to test the interoperability of DOD, federal, state and local agencies in defense of the homeland. As a result, our ORI provided a unique opportunity to validate how we provide tactical airlift during an emergency in the United States.
“Ultimately, the inspection process is all about validating readiness, and we must be ready to perform our mission wherever it takes us. I think the ORI results speak for themselves: The 123rd is clearly ready to perform its mission — any time, anywhere.”
The 123rd Airlift Wing is no stranger to historic accomplishments, officials said. It is one of the most decorated wings in the U.S. Air Force, with 14 Outstanding Unit Awards. No other Air Guard unit has won more.
“The 123rd Airlift Wing stands ready!” Colonel Nelson said.
Click here to view a video of the 123rd Airlift Wing’s historic ORI at the DVIDS Web site.
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Story and photos by Sgt. Bryan Ploughe/ 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery Unit Public Affairs Representative
FT. KNOX, Ky. (May 28, 2010 )–The Kentucky National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery conducted their inaugural firing of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System(HIMARS) at Fort Knox, Ky., May 15. The Battalion transitioned from Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) to the new generation of field artillery, the HiMARS, in February 2010. Within six weeks, the units completed the fielding and prepared to become certified and take to the battlefield.
This historical event for the Kentucky Army National Guard and the Battalion was monumental to the Guardsmen involved. The Soldiers of 1/623rd FA displayed time and time again their versatility and willingness to take on new challenges and every time they are faced with an opportunity to do so, they conquer the task with a level of accomplishment that is unmatched. The Soldiers are proud of what they have accomplished in the past and are looking to continue the legacy of their units in the future.
The Battalion performed their first certification and live fire of the HIMARS at Fort Knox May 13-16 and on Armed Services Day had more than 700 spectators in attendance from multiple states. The enthusiastic crowd sent out the first fire mission in unison and watched in amazement as the HIMARS fired 18 rounds down range and eliminated the targets with pin-point precision. Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, Deputy Adjutant General for Army, called for the closing rounds of fire for the monumental event.
The day was a success and a chance for the Battalion to display their awesome fire power and demonstrate for the leaders of the community,that the 623d FA is ready and prepared to take on whatever task the modern battle field has to throw their way.
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Story by Maj. Jeff Cole, photos by Spc. Blevins/ HHC 1/149th Infantry
Lt. Col. Bryan Howay, 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry incoming commander receives the colors from Col. Scott Campbell, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, during a change of command ceremony at Fort Knox, Ky., May 23.
FORT KNOX, Ky. (May 28, 2010)-The 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry “Mountain Warriors” said goodbye to their commander and welcomed a new one during a change of command ceremony at Fort Knox, Ky., May 23.
Lt. Col. Mike Abell, outgoing commander, passed the colors to the incoming commander Lt. Col. Bryan Howay, while being reviewed by the commander of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, Col. Scott Campbell. Also in attendance were Brig. Gen. Mike Richie, Deputy Adjutant General, Army; Col. Phil Miller, Chief of Staff for the Kentucky Army National Guard; Col. (retired) Melvin Shelley, former commander of the 149th Armor Brigade, Command Sgt. Major David Munden, Senior Enlisted Advisor; Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Johnson, Command Sergeant Major of the 149th MEB; and other Soldiers of the 1-149th IN and numerous family and friends.
The ceremony was conducted following a weekend of marksmanship and squad maneuver training, both essential competencies of an infantry battalion.
The Mountain Warriors were extremely productive during Abell’s tenure. The battalion had recently returned from a deployment to Iraq and was in the early stages of transformation when Abell took command. The battalion has since transitioned from mechanized to light infantry and stood up a new Forward Support Company. During 2009, the Mountain Warriors successfully conducted Operation Northwind, a training exercise with the Japanese Army, in Sapporo, Japan and company and battalion-level collective training during annual training at Ft. Indiantown Gap, Penn. The Mountain Warriors also served as the National Guard Reaction Force and responded to the Winter Storm of 2009 under Abell’s command.
Col. Scott Campbell, Lt. Col. Mike Abell and Command Sgt. Maj. Gordon Hinkle hold the unit's guide on given to the outgoing commander after a change of command ceremony at Fort Knox, Ky., May 23.
Howay is a former infantry company commander and operations officer who assumed command of the Mountain Warriors at a critical time. Pre-deployment training will begin this summer during the units annual training at Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center.
As the state’s last combat arms maneuver unit, Howay will ensure that the Mountain Warriors remain combat ready to deploy and support the citizens of the Commonwealth.
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Story and photo by Staff Sgt. Michael Oliver/133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
Lt. Col. Garland Goodrich, Agribusiness Development Team II member from Wakefield, Va., listens to local Afghans at a mock village during a training exercise at Camp Atterbury, In., May 26.
CAMP ATTERBURY, In. (May 26, 2010)-Guardsmen from the Kentucky National Guard Agribusiness Development Team II participated in a training exercise at a mock Afgan village at Camp Atterbury, In., May 26, in preparation for their deployment to Afghanistan next month.
The ADT members simulated a vist with Provincal leaders to establish relations to further develop the Afghan agriculture structure. While the agriculture team key leaders discussed operational plans, the force protection team provided security for the meeting. The unit said the training exercise gave them real life experience and combat readiness for their upcoming deployment.
Spc. Timothy Akers, Agribusiness Development Team II member, pulls security during a meeting with key leaders at a mock Afghan village at Camp Atterbury, In., May 26.
Lt. Col. Garland Goodrich, team leader for ADT II and a farmer in his civilian career, tranferred from the Virginia National Guard to Kentucky specifically for this mission. Goodrich said they have learned a lot as a team and not just individual agricultural training.
“Most of our training at Camp Atterbury has been basic Soldier skills. Our primary mission is agriculture but we are Soldiers first so we got to make sure we have the skill set needed to be safe over there,” said Goodrich.
ADT II will be taking over for ADT I, also from the Kentucky National Guard, who is currently in Afghanistan but will be returning home later this summer.
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Story and photos by Sgt. Joshua Dodds, 116th Public Affairs Detachment
Staff Sgt. Matt Singer, Simpsonville, Ky., attaches a M-240B machine gun to a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter prior to qualifying for aerial gunnery near Ramjan/Ramijane, Kosovo, during annual Soldier skill training.
RAMJANE/RAMIJAN, Kosovo – Soldiers from Multinational Battle Group East’s Aviation element took advantage of an aerial gunnery opportunity May 3-5, completing a training requirement while on a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo.
About 20 crew chiefs from Bravo Co., 2-147th Aviation Battalion, Kentucky National Guard, took part in the aerial gunnery qualification range, which consisted of firing an M-240B machine gun from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter in various scenarios.
The scenarios ranged from firing while landing to a high speed pass while engaging targets. The coordination between pilot and gunner is part of the challenge provided by this annual event. The Flight Instructors created tactical scenarios that included current Tactics, Techniques and Procedures learned from military operations around the globe.
The pilots get a chance to log challenging, tactical flight time, while the crew chiefs qualify on the weapons. The entire crew benefits from the training, especially as it relates to aircrew coordination.
Sgt. David Martin, Bardstown, Ky., engages targets during annual qualification at a range near Ramjane/Ramijan, Kosovo.
“It went pretty smooth,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Radford, a UH-60 pilot from Burlington, Ky. “These guys are getting familiar with the calls and knowing when to clear the weapon. The quicker we can get these newer guys trained on how the whole system works the better they will be when deployed in the future.”
Multinational Battle Group East is a U.S.- led unit, commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 1,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine) and Turkey. The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.
Please contact the MNBG E Public Affairs office for media engagements or to follow-up on this information.
For high resolution photos relating to this news release, go to our Flickr site at:
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Story and photos by Sgt. Paul Evans/HHC 103rd BSB Unit Public Affairs Representative
Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery set up the Satellite Transmission Terminal (STT) prior to the Student Technology Leadership Program at Heritage Hall in Lexington, Ky. May 11.
LEXINGTON, Ky (May 12, 2010)—The Heritage Hall corridors echoed with young technology students attending and competing in the 2010 Annual Student Technology Leadership Program (STLP) being conducted by the STLP State Advisory Council in Lexington, Ky., May 11. For Soldiers of the Kentucky National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, as well as the state recruiting command, the STLP presented an opportunity to recruit some of the brightest technological minds in the Bluegrass.
According to Capt. James Meece, a systems administrator for the 623rd, the idea to attend the STLP to search for more tech-savvy Soldiers surfaced about six months ago when the brigade took a look at their unit manning report only to discover that they were significantly lacking Soldiers in the “25 series” of military occupational specialties. This shortcoming was most noticeable in jobs involving information systems operation, multichannel transmission systems operation, and satellite communication systems operation.
“It’s hard to find tech-oriented people with high enough aptitude scores,” Meece said. “That’s why we conduct the STLP.”
Capt. James Meece (right), 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery, and Maj. Tamara Hurst, Commander, Recruiting & Retention Battalion, stop to check out a yellow rover built by 2010 Student Technology Leadership Program participants. The rover, which has a hydraulic grabbing device on the front and a shut-off device on top, will compete at Heritage Hall in June.
The Student Technology Leadership Program started in 1994 and is a project-based learning program intended to empower students from kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade to use technology to learn and achieve. The 2010 Annual State Championship’s mission is to advance individual capabilities, motivate all students, and create leadership opportunities through the use of technology. This enabled approximately 3,800 Kentucky students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in more than 32 different technology-based areas. Four Soldiers from 623rd’s 1st Battalion, including Meece, 1st Lt. Adam Fleming, Spc. Alfonzo Hernandez, and Pvt. 1st Class Jay Burrows did their part by bringing in two pieces of communication equipment, which were explained in detail to students in attendance.
In order to help bring in students, members of the Kentucky Recruiting and Retention Command, who were also in attendance, held a contest that gave away an iPod Nano to the high school student who scored the highest on a quiz following the explanation of what each piece of equipment did. Out of the 44 students participating, Matthew Berry of Lexington’s McPherson Academy was declared the winner with a three-way tie for second place.
Maj. Tamara Hurst, Kentucky Recruiting and Retention Commander said it’s important to emphasize the need for technologically minded individuals across the board for the guard. By bringing in students to look at specific National Guard equipment and jobs they might find interesting, the 623rd took an important step in planting a seed in the minds of what will likely be some of tomorrow’s bright Soldiers.
Matthew Case from Todd County Central High School poses with Capt. James Meece and 1st Lt. Adam Fleming of 1st Battalion, 623rd Field Artillery after a three-way tie for second place in the competition to win an iPod Nano at the Student Technology Leadership Program in Lexington, Ky., May 11.
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By Staff Sgt. Fredrick P. Varney, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Kentucky Army National Guard
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, adjutant general for Kentucky, pins Spc. Joshua Wayne Roberts, Engineer, Det.1, 207th Engineer Company, during a promotion ceremony held Apr 28. at Kallmunz Castle in Germany.
HOHENFELS, Germany– Just twenty-five minutes outside of Hohenfels, nestled in the heart of Bavaria, there’s a small art colony town called Kallmunz.
The main attractions there are the ruins of the Kallmunz Castle above the town on a cliff and the old stone bridge over the Naab River.
Kallmunz castle, the seat of the former Counts of Kallmunz, has been fortified since the Bronze Age. The city also has a medieval bridge, bearing masons’ marks, over the Naab River.
During a recent overseas training deployment, the 201st Engineer Battalion held a ceremony Apr. 28 to recognize the promotions of six Soldiers and the re-enlistment of two others.
Maj. Gen. Edward W. Tonini, the adjutant general of Kentucky, traveled there with the Soldiers to celebrate the glorious occasion.
The six Soldiers promoted were from Detachment 1, 207th Engineer Company. Spc. Joshua Wayne Roberts of Jackson, Ky., Private 1st Class Steven W. Molands of Campton, Ky., Private 1st Class John C. Thompson of Louisa, Ky., Private 1st Class Justin R. Brashears of Campton, Ky., Staff Sgt. Ronald E. Holliday of Jackson, Ky., and 1st Lt. Dustin W. Pack of Ashland, Ky.
Tonini conducted the re-enlistments of Sgt. Matthew C. Gilbert, Team Leader, Detachment 1, 207th Engineer Company, and Sgt. Mark S. Hunter, Team Leader, Forward Support Company, 201st Engineer Battalion.
“I told my first sergeant that I wanted General Tonini to conduct my re-enlistment at one of the castles here and the unit made it happen for us,” said Gilbert.
“It was a great feeling to have the adjutant general come here to support us,” he said. “It really meant so much to the Soldiers to be promoted and re-enlist at such a prestigious landmark here in Germany.”
Kentucky Guardsmen from the 201st Engineer Battalion, based in Ashland, Ky., conducted a promotion ceremony held Apr. 28 at the Kallmunz Castle in Kallmunz, Germany. The 201st Engineer Battalion provided crucial support to the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany by expanding its training center facilities there.
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Story and photos courtesy 201st Engineer Battalion
Engineers clear debris from devastated downtown Olive Hill, Ky. May 7. Photo by Capt. Derrick Frodge, 201st Engineer Battalion.
OLIVE HILL, Ky. (May 11, 2010)-Soldiers of the 149th Vertical Engineer Company from Olive Hill, Ky., and the 207th Horizontal Engineer Company from Hazard and Jackson, Ky., deployed to Carter, Bath, Rowan, and Lewis Counties to conduct debris removal and damage assessment in the wake of flooding from torrential downpours of May 1 and 2.
During the mission, the units cleared roughly 80 tons of debris from over 25 miles of city streets which allowed civil authorities and utility companies access to the stricken areas for badly needed repairs and services. Damage assessment teams from the engineers escorted FEMA representatives over badly damaged roads to the hardest hit regions to allow them to
Engineers from the 149th Vertical Engineer Co. and the 207th Horizontal Engineer Co. clear debris from a road in Olive Hill, Ky. May 7. Photo by Capt. Derrick Frodge, 201st Engineer Battalion.
determine the level of response needed to restore the basic services.
“This is our mission,” said Capt. Derrick Frodge, 201st EN Battalion Administrative Officer. “ We are uniquely equipped, trained, and accustomed to these types of emergencies.”
The 149th and 207th Engineer Companies are part of the 201st Engineer Battalion from Ashland, Ky.
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Story by Capt. Andi Hahn/KYNG Public Affairs Office
Photos courtesy of Kentucky State Police Media Relations
Kentucky State Police Commissioner Rodney Brewer (left) and Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown (right) presented Tpr. Timothy Mullins (second from left), of KSP Post 13 in Hazard, and retired Tpr. Richard Miller (second from right), of Hazard, with the Governor’s Medal of Valor in Louisville on May 5.
FRANKFORT, Ky.- The Kentucky State Police announced the 2009 Trooper of the Year, the Commercial Vehicle Officer of the Year, two Governor’s Medal of Valor recipients and 46 other awards for acts of bravery, life-saving, professionalism and dedication to duty today at the Holiday Inn Hurstborne Lane in Louisville.
Trooper 1st Class and Sgt. Maj. Timothy Mullins of Post 13 in Hazard and the Kentucky Army National Guard’s 198th Military Police Battalion, along with retired Trooper Richard Miller, a former Kentucky Guardsman, received the Governor’s Medal of Valor, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an officer of the agency for conspicuous heroism in the line of duty under circumstances of extreme personal hazard. It is awarded only by order of the Governor of the Commonwealth.
Mullins and Miller, also a former Kentucky Guardsmen, received the honor for an incident that occured in June 2006 where they entered a burning building and rescued a stranded man.
More recently on Jan 27, 2010, Mullins was the trooper on location of an overturned vehicle where a woman was trapped. 2nd Lt. John L. McMahan, a Kentucky Guardsman in the same MP Battalion as Mullins, stood in the freezing water rendering aid to the woman for more than half an hour until firefighters arrived to extricate her from her automobile. Mullins notified the battalion of McMahan’s quick reaction in saving the woman’s life. McMahan was honored with the Medal of Valor earlier this year.
Mullins, who has been with the Kentucky State Police for 19 years and the Kentucky National Guard for 23 years, said he was honored to receive this award but said he did nothing that any of the other Troopers wouldn’t have done if they had been there.
“I was just at the right place at the right time and did what I was trained to do,” Mullins said.
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Story and photos by Sgt. Joshua Dodds, 116th Public Affairs Detachment
A flight crew from MNBG E aviation works together to safely fill a Bambi Bucket during firefighting training recently in Kosovo.
GJAKOVA/DJAKOVICA, Kosovo(May 10, 2010) – Multinational Battle Group East aviation Soldiers carried the water, literally, as they tested their firefighting skills recently at Lake Radonjicko.
The training took place in the Italian area of operations in Multinational Battle Group West. A nearby airport served as a staging area and the Italian Air Force provided support.
According to Capt. Daniel Lee, 2-151st Security and Support Battalion, Columbia, S.C., multiple air crews were trained during the three-day period.
The crews used a UH-60 Blackhawk and a “Bambi Bucket” to lift 76 loads of water, each containing about 600 gallons.
“It collects water and disburses it on fires, mostly to put out hotspots,” said 1st Sgt. Larry Taylor, Columbia, SC, the senior enlisted Soldier with Detachment 1, Bravo Company, 777th ASB of the South Carolina National Guard.
The aviation element of MNBG E is a combination of four company-sized elements, 2-151st Security and Support Battalion from South Carolina, the 1-777th Aviation Support Battalion from Virginia, and from Kentucky: the 2-147th Aviation Battalion and a detachment of the 1-169th Aviation Battalion-MEDEVAC.
Sgt. Jeremy S. Knight, Frankfort, Ky., attaches the rigging of a “Bambi bucket” to the cargo hook on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter during firefighting training recently in Kosovo.
The training allowed the flight crews to sharpen their skills. Understanding how to use the Bambi Bucket can be used to potentially assist the people in Kosovo in a fire emergency, and the crews will also be able to use their skills when they return to the U.S. to help their neighbors and fellow citizens.
“This training was conducted to familiarize new Soldiers and to be a refresher for some of the crews who completed this training prior to mobilization,” Taylor said.
Though the training lasted three days, it was day one that posed the biggest challenge.
“The buckets are slightly different here, and they have a slightly different mechanism for letting the water out with a ‘Torrentula’ valve,” said Sgt. Jeremy S. Knight, Frankfort, Ky., a crew chief with Bravo Company, 2-147th. “It dumps different and takes on water a little different, but it was nothing we couldn’t quickly adjust to after a couple of runs.”
Flight crews on a Blackhawk helicopter worked together to coordinate the operation of the Bambi Bucket to ensure the safety of the crew and equipment, as well as those on the ground. Often times, fire fighters on the ground or from the air give guidance to the pilot where the water needs to be dropped and the pilot relays to the crew chief when to drop the water, said Knight. The directions ensure that the crew drops the water load in the correct place, which in some cases, could be a location where ground firefighters may be trapped.
Multinational Battle Group East is a U.S.- led unit, commanded by Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann. This Battle Group is comprised of nearly 1,200 Soldiers, including Task Force Hellas and Task Force POL/UKR (Polish/Ukraine) and Turkey. The charter mission of MNBG-E is maintaining a Safe and Secure Environment and providing Freedom of Movement for the people in Kosovo.
Please contact the MNBG E Public Affairs office for media engagements or to follow-up on this information.
