Navy cadets learn art of air assault

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Navy cadets learn art of air assault

U.S. Naval Academy students visit post school for training

by Megan Smith, Courier Staff
BRIAN TAYLOR | COURIER
U.S. Naval Academy cadets do pull ups at the Sabalauski Air Assault School. The cadets were hosted on post as they trained to become air assault qualified.Fort Campbell Soldiers and U.S Naval Academy cadets united as one team during training at Fort Campbell’s Sabalauski Air Assault School over the last two weeks.

Eighteen cadets from the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., arrived at Fort Campbell July 10 for military combat training at the air assault school.

“We extend our arms out to different services every summer,” said the school’s executive officer of logistics Capt. Antonio Chang. “We specifically extend our services to the cadets, because these are the guys that will become officers and need that extra training from the Army because they work with Army aircraft. We also award a badge to those who graduate from the school, and the cadets want that badge.”

The Air Assault School trains leaders and Soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, other Army units and U.S. armed services in several courses including Air Assault, Pathfinder, Pre-Ranger, Basic Airborne and Jumpmaster Refresher, and Rappel courses.

The Soldiers and cadets faced a demanding 10 and a half days of training during the Air Assault School, where they were assessed both physically and mentally.

The Air Assault School consists of three phases - - the combat assault, sling load and rappelling. Each phase tests the Soldiers on their combat ability. Soldiers must complete several written tests, aircraft safety, aero medical evacuations, grueling obstacle courses and rappelling along with many other mental and physical endurance tests. “The sling load portion is a vital part of the support of war on terrorism. Because the highways in Iraq are so dangerous, we transport a lot on helicopters, and we train the guys at the school how to do that,” Chang said.

To graduate, the student must receive a pass at the end of each phase. After passing, the student is awarded an air assault badge and a certificate.

U.S. Naval Academy junior David Bates, 19, said the air assault school has been a “unique experience.” “It has been different, like nothing we have done in the Navy,” Bates said. “It is a special school in which we can compete against our classmates. It’s a lot of fun.”

Another junior at the Naval Academy Matt Agnew, 19, said working with other services is a good experience.

“It is really important that all services work together,” Agnew said, “especially in Iraq, we have to come together as a team.”

Chang said working together as a team is important for the war on terrorism.

“When I was in Iraq we worked a lot with the Air Force and the Navy,” Chang said. “It is valuable that we work together because you understand how the other services work, and you begin to know their doctrine, and understand their verbiage.

“It is an asset to your own branch by knowing how other branches work. It is more of a partnership and a friendship, and it builds healthy competition.”

The cadets were split up into two classes - - nine cadets per class. In the first class, seven out of the nine graduated the school, and the second class has not yet completed the school.

Air assault school instructor Sgt. 1st Class John Taylor said the cadets performed well.

“It is good to see all the guys from different braches working together,” Taylor said. “The Navy cadets were in great physical shape and had great attitudes. I was really proud of them — they did an outstanding job.”

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