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Air Cav Takes Families To The Field
(October 15, 2010) | 
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FORT HOOD, Texas (October 12, 2010) – When soldiers leave home and go into a
field training environment, family members are often left
with a curiosity about what they endure while they are out
training in the field. |
That curiosity was fulfilled for family members of soldiers from the 1st Attack
Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st
Cavalry Division, who witnessed firsthand what it is like to live and operate in
a field environment during a battalion family day event held here, Oct 3.
The event was held in conjunction with the brigade's on-going aerial gunnery,
which is scheduled to conclude later on this month. |
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Family members of soldiers from the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, look on as an AH-64D Attack helicopter lands during a battalion family day event, here, Oct. 3, 2010. |
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The soldiers brought the field experience to life for the more than 100 family
members in attendance.
“This was a chance for the family members to see, hear, smell and touch what we
do for a living,” said Lt. Col. Doug Brockhard, commander, 1-227, 1st ACB. “Now
they have an image in their heads about what it is that we do out here.”
To start the day, family members were transported from battalion headquarters to
the field site by bus and after a range safety brief, they toured the soldier's
living areas out in the field.
After the initial safety brief, soldiers briefed and demonstrated to the family
members the basic operations of a forward arming and refueling point, with the
demonstrations ranging from how ammunition is loaded onto an AH-64D, Apache
Longbow helicopter, to proper refueling procedures.
One of the briefers, Staff Sgt. Tyra Charmant, a platoon sergeant for E Company,
1-227th, 1st ACB, originally from Queens, NY, noticed the positive effect that
the day's activities had on her soldiers.
“The soldiers were having a great time spending time with their family members
out here,” she said. “The soldiers were extremely proud to show their family
members how they operate here in the FARP.”
For the family members, the experience resulted in similar feelings of pride and
enjoyment.
“It was really nice for all of the kids to see what their parents do,” said
Petra Polite, wife of Staff Sgt. Loren Polite, a section chief with E Company,
1-227, 1st ACB. “Our children in particular were very excited to be out here and
see my husband do his job.”
Following the demonstrations, the family members were then transported to a
different location within the range vicinity. There, the sound of Apache attack
helicopters reverberated throughout the air to culminate the day's activities.
The pilots treated the family members to a live fire presentation that brought
smiles and looks of admiration from family members big and small alike.
Ultimately, the family members garnered an appreciation for the challenges that
soldiers face when they work and live in the field environment.
“People don't realize how much work and effort goes in to what the soldiers do
out here until they actually see it firsthand,” said Polite. | |
Article and photo by Army SSgt. Joe Armas
1st Air Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Public Affairs
Copyright 2010
Provided
through DVIDS
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