Air-assault students' next test: war
By William Cole
Advertiser Military Writer
SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Spc. Andrew Schwab started his day with a 12-mile march carrying a 30-pound rucksack, helmet and M-4 rifle, but ended it with a coveted reward: the wings and helicopter denoting the Air Assault Badge.
Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser
Fifty-six other soldiers and airmen on Friday also completed the march within three hours as the last test of the 10-day academic and hands-on Air Assault course at Schofield Barracks.
Students of the Schofield Barracks Air Assault School sound off their class motto during graduation ceremonies. The soldiers, many of whom will likely test their new skills under fire in Iraq and Afghanistan next year, are part of the last air-assault course at Schofield Barracks until 2005.
Friday's graduation at Stoneman Field, capped by Army Golden Knights parachuting in, will be the last until 2005.
Upcoming deployments by the 25th Infantry Division (Light) to Iraq in February and Afghanistan in April mean the instructors who teach arm signals for guiding in helicopters, slingloading Humvees and equipment, and rappelling from a helicopter, are needed for real-world missions.
The Air Assault Badge, previously the Airmobile Badge, was approved in 1978 for individuals who completed air-assault training after 1974.
Col. Richard Hatch, commander of Division Support Command, said air-assault doctrine has become a force multiplier used in combat operations in every corner of the globe.
"You will soon be part of the next (air-assault) story as the 25th Infantry Division and elements of U.S. Army, Hawai'i, deploy to other parts of the world," Hatch told the graduates. "I would venture to say that there are at least 10 other soldiers who wish they could be in your place."
Schwab, 22, who's with the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, said it was "satisfying" to wear the silver wings of air assault.
"It's relatively difficult. You get motivated, dedicated," Schwab said. "If I get to use the skills in a combat environment, I feel confident I could do that."
The capper was the 12-mile march in full combat gear. The maximum time allotted is three hours. Schwab made it in 2:40.
"There's psychological stuff, too," Schwab said. "Rappelling out of a helicopter for the first time is an interesting experience."
Staff Sgt. Jason Premo said there are two other Army posts with air-assault schools: Fort Drum, N.Y., and Fort Campbell, Ky.
Last year, the 25th Division graduated just more than 1,500 soldiers at Schofield — 73 percent of those who took the demanding course.
Premo, an Air Assault School instructor, said as part of the slingload test "we rig loads for them and put deficiencies in, and they must find three of four in two minutes. That's where most fail."
Failing soldiers are retrained and retested. If they fail again, they're out of the course, Premo said.
Staff Sgt. Russell Gray, a member of the Golden Knights who parachuted onto Stoneman Field from 12,500 feet on Friday, got his Air Assault Badge at Schofield around 1990.
"This is pretty neat," he said after dropping in on the latest graduation. "It (the Air Assault Badge) is a hell of an accomplishment."
Hatch, who pinned wings on two of his sons at the graduation, Spc. Russell Hatch, 24, and Lt. Christopher Hatch, 26, also went through the school about eight years ago.
"One thing I learned about it when I went through was you need to do it when you are young. I was 44 when I did it," Hatch said, recalling the 12-mile march. "I was motivated by all the young soldiers going past me."
Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5459.
