OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea--Soldiers from 6-52 Air Defense Artillery, Iron Horse, trained with aviator crews from Alpha Company, 2-2 ASLT at Osan Air Base, Oct. 14 to enhance their overall military readiness and to test the feasibility of air lift operations at their Patriot sites.

The training began in in the motor pool where air crews led a discussion around a Missile Round Trainer. The crews provided refresher classes to air assault qualified Soldiers to include proper sling load configurations and how to safely maneuver on the helicopter landing zone during sling load operations.

Capt. Eric Boeckers, the 6-52 ADA battle captain, coordinated the training for the battalion.
"All the Soldiers who participated were very excited about this training opportunity. Alpha Company, 2-2 ASLT is an amazing unit to work with," Boeckers said. "Their crews were flexible and easy to work with, providing the training and resources that we needed. I would jump at the chance to conduct more training with them."

Having completed the refresher training, the Iron Horse Soldiers moved out to a Patriot launcher site to put their training to the test.

As UH-60L, Black Hawk helicopters hovered above them, Soldiers rushed to an MRT and quickly attached a sling rigging to it.

With the training canister prepped for movement, the helicopter lifted the MRT skyward, hovering for a minute before setting it down to conduct an after action review and continue training.

6-52 ADA Commander, Lt. Col. Ethan Hall, observed the training and discussed the impact of the sling load exercise on his unit's readiness.

"The sling load training conducted today was a team effort from 2-2 ASLT and 6-52 ADA," Hall said. The aerial resupply of Patriot interceptors increases the battalion's flexibility to react to unforeseen events; enhancing our ability to defend our assets."

Spc. Edward Bustin, a Patriot fire control enhanced operator/maintainer assigned to Bravo Battery, 6-52 ADA, participated in the training.

"There are too many factors that come into consideration when moving canisters by road in Korea," Bustin said. "I recommend that other units who have air assault qualified personnel to have those Soldiers teach their knowledge to the rest of the unit and train as much as possible so when the mission comes, their units will be ready."

The units plan to conduct future training exercises together to ensure these freshly honed skillsets stay fresh and executable.