Company trains in sling-loading

The first sling-load mission in the history of the Forward Support Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, was held April 11 during a joint training exercise with the Pathfinder School.

The exercise included rigging a load of ammo crates into a 5,000-pound capacity cargo net and sling loading them to a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

“Being able to sling load equipment is one of the essential tools the Distribution Platoon has been missing,” said 1st Lt. Alex Willauer, platoon leader. “We’ve been trying unsuccessfully for a few years to get aircraft, but now with the assistance of the Pathfinder School, we’re finally able to train on this task.”

The FSC’s Distribution Platoon is responsible for the 11th Engineer Battalion’s fuel, water purification, hazardous materials, and general load-hauling needs. The platoon uses its fleet of load handling system trucks, complete with trailers and 24 flat racks.

The platoon’s mission is to move supplies and equipment even when driving is not an option — such as to a forward operating base in the mountains of Afghanistan.

“The training was good,” said Pvt. Ryan Smith. “It’s something we need to learn because we may be called on to do this in the future as part of our job.”

For most of the Soldiers, this was their first time participating in sling-load training, Willauer said. Many were surprised at the amount of rotor wash they encountered as the aircraft came overhead. To withstand the strong winds, the Soldiers had to kneel down or hold on to the load. Once the gale force winds passed and the helicopter was directly overhead, the Soldiers had a relatively calm space to work in while constantly keeping one eye on the underside of the aircraft for safety and the other eye watching for the hook they needed to attach the slings to.

“I think it is excellent that platoon leaders and battalion staff are willing to take the initiative and garner cooperation with adjacent units and organizations on post,” said Capt. Thomas Stagnaro, FSC commander.

“It is that initiative that allows the Soldiers to excel.”

This story was originally published May 3, 2011 at 5:40 PM with the headline "Company trains in sling-loading."