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 National Guard, reserve members learn sling-loading operations together By Army Spc. Jason Dorsey
                Indiana National Guard
 SPARTA, Ill. - The breeze  was gone and replaced by gusts of air as an Illinois Army National Guard CH-47  Chinook helicopter was lowered down from the sky. Marines took hold of cables  connecting a 7-foot-long mobile water trailer to cables on the passing  helicopter. With cables secured, the breeze returned as the water trailer rose  off the ground and the Chinook crew flew back up to higher elevation. Soldiers with the Illinois National  Guard's Company B, 2nd Battalion, 238th Aviation Regiment, trained with other  reserve component Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen to conduct their first  joint logistical airdrop and sling-load training mission Sept. 11 here. Service members came together to learn  the purpose of sling loading, timely resupply, the proper hook-up procedures,  safety procedures, cargo weight management and the capabilities of different  sling-load able aircraft. "We conducted this joint  training exercise so that our Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Marines become  familiar with working with each other during logistical operations such as what  they have been experiencing in theatre," said Army Maj. Garrett Kolo, the  U.S. Army Europe Command liaison officer for the Army Reserve element with U.S.  Transportation Command. Sling-load transportation of cargo  aids in the movement of supplies when time is a critical factor, said Army 1st  Lt. Andrew Hager, an officer with Company B, 1st Battalion, 238th Aviation  Regiment, Indiana National Guard. Adding, it allows cargo to be moved more  easily and efficiently when other methods of transportation may be hindered by  the items’ shapes or dimensions. "It's great training for  Chinook crews with sling-load operations being the main mission of the Chinook  and it's great to be able to work with the other components and cross train  with them," Hager said. Aside from becoming familiar with  sling-load operations, the joint training also prepares them for air supported  cargo movement they may have to support, Hager said. "It can be intimidating when a  Chinook is hovering just overhead with all the wind and noise and then you have  to hook up slings to it," Hager said. "The training helps prepare  them for that in a safe environment." Throughout the training, 24  different lifts were conducted with cargo that ranged between 2,000 to 10,000  pounds and two practice parachute supply drops. "This training is an integral  asset to the military in that sling-load missions provide expedient delivery  and extraction of equipment in hard-to-access areas," said Army Spc.  Stefan, a quartermaster with the 1st Detachment, 168th Quarter Master Company  of the Indiana National Guard. During the field portion of the  training, service members learned how to properly and safely inspect cargo  loading equipment to identify weak or malfunctioning pieces. Next, they practiced hooking up  equipment to the aircraft with specific guidelines from on-looking instructors,  inspecting and attaching cargo to the bottom of a hovering Chinook. To put their skills to the test, air  drops were then performed with the loads they prepared and rigged, to ensure  they were done properly and safely. "Safety is the number one step  we keep in mind when rigging these objects to the aircraft," Carlin said. "One  missed step can lead to a dangerous situation and even disrupt the flow of the  mission." "During real-time operations  service members are deployed to remote location such as Afghanistan, where  equipment and supplies need to be delivered in a timely and safe manner,"  Carlin said. "Afghanistan is a prime example where sling loads are  essential due to the dramatic terrain and deadly improvised explosive devices  everywhere on the roads." Bringing all four service branches  together for this training fosters and understanding of what each service can  bring to the mission. Joint military cooperation has been a key to successful  joint operations. "This valuable training will  keep our troops performing proficiently while delivering the essential elements  needed on the battlefront," Kolo said.
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