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410th CAB validates aviation operations ahead of deployment to Afghanistan

March 20, 2013
By Staff Sgt. Todd L. Pouliot

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- When the commanding general at Fort Rucker, Ala., saw Soldiers conducting physical training in shorts last month, he knew the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade had arrived. With temperatures in the 40s, the cool Alabama mornings were a respite for the Soldiers from the North Country. Although the unit enjoyed being able to conduct PT without having to worry about frigid temperatures, wind chill and ice, it was an important weeklong aviation tactical operations exercise that brought the 10th CAB to the southern post.

'We're very fortunate to be here,' said Col. David J. Francis, 10th CAB and Task Force Falcon commander. 'This is a great training event, and it will make us better.'

The Afghanistan aviation training exercise allows brigade and battalion staffs, and pilots to plan, manage and execute aviation operations under one roof.

According to Wade B. Becnel, deputy director of the Directorate of Simulations at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence, the 10th CAB participated in the 88th AATX, but it could be the last active-duty CAB to conduct the training at Fort Rucker.

'The AATX was designed to increase the readiness posture for aviation units,' said Becnel, who has a unique history with the 10th CAB -- he was among the first aviators to sign in to the unit in 1986 at Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, N.Y. 'Commanders come in with their training objectives and we can provide them a fairly robust training. Now the Army is being told it needs to get back to training at home station.'

One of several high-level visitors of the training event was Col. Mark J. O'Neil, 10th Mountain Division's deputy commander -- operations, who came to observe the training and assess the feasibility of conducting similar training at Fort Drum.

'I think we have an incredible virtual campus at Fort Drum,' O'Neil said. 'I want to see how we could replicate this format and apply similar exercises at 10th Mountain Division, which integrates all formations into a constructive exercise.'

Francis had three objectives for his staff during the exercise: master the fundamentals, get better every day and build a team.

'This is a perfect opportunity to ratchet up our fundamentals and get us better prepared to head downrange,' Francis said. 'The (tactical operations center) exists to help me make informed decisions. It synchronizes the fight and enables the subordinate task forces to execute their missions.'

A crucial aspect of the training was minimizing civilian casualties when engaging enemy combatants. Participants conducted rules of engagement training and implemented what they learned into their mission scenarios. This required effective communication between the simulated commander on the ground, the air crews, and the TOC.

At the conclusion of the training, 10th CAB Soldiers discussed what went well and what can be improved. Staff from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, the unit currently conducting aviation operations in eastern Afghanistan that 10th CAB will replace this spring, mentored the participants throughout the exercise and shared their lessons learned from their experiences.

With the 88th AATX complete, 10th CAB Soldiers boarded an aircraft on a warm sunny spring day in Alabama, anxious to return home. When the Soldiers landed at Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield, a light snow and a cold wind were the first to greet them.