An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Oct. 27, 2016

Task Force Raider Boards C-17 for Lightning Forge

By Staff Sgt. Armando Limon

WHEELER ARMY AIRFIELD, Hawaii - Elements of Task Force Raider from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, performed a rare boarding, here, of a C-17 Globemaster III to fly to the island of Hawaii, Oct. 24, 2016.

Normally, Soldiers would board a C-17 from the 535th Airlift Squadron, 15th Wing, at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, instead of flying out of here to reach the Pohakuloa Training Area, or PTA.

TF Raider, which is comprised of units from 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 35th Inf. Regt.; and 29th Bde. Engineer Bn., represent select elements participating in this annual exercise.

"Task Force Raider is deploying to PTA in support of Lightning Forge 17, and a certain amount of passengers and equipment is loading the C-17 to take a flight over," said 1st Lt. Michael Wilhelm, unit movement officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3-4th Cav. Regt. "Roughly 200 Soldiers are heading to PTA."

Wilhelm stated TF Raider was going to act as the opposition force to test the 2nd BCT, 25th ID's capabilities as it transitions from a Stryker brigade to a light infantry brigade.

"I think it is good training as far as deploying rapidly for a Contingency Response Force (CRF) mission," he said.

He further stated with the airfield being in close proximity to Schofield Barracks, where the task force is stationed, it was far easier and faster to deploy Soldiers and equipment out of Wheeler instead of Hickam.

Transporting RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) from Company D, 29th BEB, by air instead of by sea aboard a logistics support vessel (LSV) proved to be its own set of unique challenges.

"For air load, the restrictions of what you can and can't bring are much more stringent than an LSV," said 1st Lt. Sara M. Downing, Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS) Platoon leader, Co. D, 29th BEB. "So, we adhere to all those regulations and have all the requisite paperwork."

Downing explained the movement of the TAUS Platoon; it allows testing of the rapid deployability of the UAVs while the unit is on a CRF mission.

"Once we're actually there on ground, we'll be doing a lot of variety of reconnaissance tasks for the exercise," she said, "whether that's target acquisition or area security or screening zone reconnaissance. I'll also be training call for fire missions as well."

The movement of troops and equipment wasn't just a benefit for the Army, but for the Air Force as well.

"Joint training with the Army and Air Force in support of Lightning Forge 17 allows both Soldiers and Airmen a great training opportunity," said Warrant Officer 1 Miguel Flores, mobility officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd BCT. "It is important for the Air Force to stay proficient at flying in and out of Wheeler Army Airfield. The challenging airfield gives the Air Force great training value and allows 3rd BCT to stay ready for contingency operations."

Flores worked with Air Force personnel to overcome obstacles to make the mission a success.

"Meeting the Air Force standards to move Soldiers and equipment is always a challenge," he said. "The more we conduct joint training in Oahu, the less complicated it will be for everyone."

Overall, the movement proved a success as TF Raider made it to PTA safely, with the Army and Air Force looking forward to future training missions out of Wheeler.

"They are always looking for valuable training opportunities with the Army," he added. "The more complex the air load plans, the better the training is for everyone."
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
31st MEU | Marines awarded for heroic actions
U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, pose for a photo next to an UH-1Y Venom helicopter during an award ceremony on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan, Nov. 6, 2024. On October 12, 2024, the Marines assisted in saving the life of a local woman who had been swept away by strong currents near Cape Zanpa, Okinawa, Japan. The decisive actions carried out by the Marines that day not only saved a life, but demonstrated the Marines’ commitment to the local community, even when off-duty. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Angel Diaz Montes De Oca)
Nov. 10, 2024 - The beaches of Okinawa are a peaceful escape for both locals and service members stationed on the island. The high temperatures, clear skies and gentle breezes create the perfect conditions to enjoy a day off work swimming in...

U.S. Coast Guard wraps up support for Operation Kurukuru 2024, joins Niue in celebrating 50th Constitution Day
Members of an HC-130 Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point and Coast Guard Fourteenth District staff pose for a photo with members of the Royal New Zealand Navy at Hanan Niue International Airport in Alofi, Niue, Oct. 19, 2024. The U.S., New Zealand, Australia, the Cook Islands, Fiji, France and Japan were among the countries represented at Niue’s 50th Constitution Day celebration. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, courtesy U.S. Embassy New Zealand)
Nov. 9, 2024 - The U.S. Coast Guard recently concluded its support for the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Forum Fisheries Agency's (FFA) Operation Kurukuru, a vital annual operation led by Pacific Island countries across the region's vast...

Running festival in Yokohama fosters camaraderie among US, Japanese competitors
Runners take off at the start of the Yokohama North Dock Running Festival, held Nov. 3 on the installation. The event drew nearly 3,000 competitors for its 5K, 10K and half-marathon races.
Nov. 9, 2024 - The Yokohama North Dock Running Festival, a showcase of athleticism and camaraderie, brought together nearly 3,000 Japanese and American runners Nov. 3 to compete in the event...

Command Collaboration: USFK and CFC Put Electromagnetic Capabilities on Display
U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Elliot Rappoport, 2nd Infantry Division, G-6, Eighth Army, presented capabilities and best practices of a PR-200 spectrum analyzer, during a Combined Republic of Korea – United States Information Operations teambuilding event, held on Oct. 10, 2024. (courtesy photo)
Nov. 8, 2024 - U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Elliot Rappoport, 2nd Infantry Division, G-6, Eighth Army, presented capabilities and best practices of a PR-200 spectrum analyzer, during a Combined Republic of Korea – United States Information...

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command representatives meet with the People's Liberation Army counterparts for the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group and plenary session
Representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Coast Guard traveled to Qingdao, China to meet with the People's Republic of China (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Air Force for the semi-annual working group and annual plenary session of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), Nov. 6-8, 2024. (Courtesy Photo)
Nov. 8, 2024 - Representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Coast Guard traveled to Qingdao, China to meet with the People's Republic of China (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA)...