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U.S. Transcom hosts civilian for training to support 2012 NDAA

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Stephenie Wade
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The U.S. Transportation Command's Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JRTU) held rotary wing familiarization and sling load training for more than 75 Air Force, Army, Navy, Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission and Department of Homeland Security personnel Aug. 4 and 11 on Scott Air Force Base, Ill. This was the first time the training has taken place on Scott.

According to Lt. Col. Garrett Kolo, JTRU exercise officer in charge, selected unit members should be familiar with helicopters to know the minimum requirements for landing in case a medical evacuation or sling load in the event of a natural disaster or emergency occurs in the Midwest or beyond.

"We used UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters from the Illinois National Guard to lift Humvees, water buffalos, cargo nets and Humvee trailers in an urban area to conduct the annual sling load training this year," said Kolo.

Historically the Reserves were legally limited to help communities during a disaster. President Obama signed the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act altering US Code 12304, so that in the event of large national disaster or emergency if the National Guard needs help, the governor can request and receive support from the Reserves for up to 120 days as well.

"This year's training offered a better understanding of the assistance military would provide to civilian authorities during a national emergency in mid-west."

Assigned to the JTRU Army Reserve Element, Specialist Brett Cullivan, health care specialist, participated in the training as a sling load operator for the first time. Stationed at U.S. Transcom for two years now, his job is to control patient movement for the Theater Patient Movement Requirements Center making this training vital to his career.

"The entire course was a valuable learning experience for me," said Cullivan. "I found the hand and arms signals particularly informative and the familiarization with the Blackhawk itself, while not new to me, was a great refresher and it was fun."

Cullivan went onto say, the training is important for all the reserve and national guard forces and participating agencies because it is the mission of the reserve forces to support state and federal agencies upon an official request from a state. Because, we are tasked with this mission it would benefit us to prepare for the potential requirements of such a mission.

"U.S. Transcom has reservists from every component under its umbrella, one can bet that if there is a major disaster, Transcom will be a part of it," he said.

Another first time participant in attendance was Master-At-Arms 2nd Class Keith Pona assigned to the Expeditionary Unit, Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 14 Det Echo travelled all the way from Weldon Springs, MO to attend the sling load training.

"I'm not assigned to U.S. Transcom, however due to our being an expeditionary unit with the Navy this training is greatly needed so if the need to perform a sling load for equipment and supplies in home or in theater ever arises we will have the staff trained to perform the necessary duties," said Pona.

So when this opportunity came up his unit decided to take full advantage of it because this type of training is not always readily available to them.

"The training was exciting as well and very informational. The hands on training made the learning better than just seeing a slide show or reading from text."

Pona's job during the training was also to prepare and connect the sling load to the helicopter. He said he learned the proper procedures of rigging up equipment and supplies for a sling load so that it can be lifted in a safe manner.

"I believe this is an important training because no one knows when the training is going to be needed, whether it's in a combat situation, training exercise or natural disaster situation," Pona said. "This would allow supplies to be move quickly in an affiant manner and to save lives."

For more information on the U.S. Transcoms mission please visit http://www.transcom.mil