Fort Bliss Monitor

Imperial Brigade, Air Assault PT

Spc. Mark Miranda
11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs

Soldiers of Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade got a taste of the tough requirements of Air Assault school May 12, during Physical Training at the obstacle course.

“It’s an opportunity for something different — we always strive to make PT interesting; more so than the usual distance runs in the mornings,” said Staff Sgt. Luis Rodriguez.

Before conducting stretches and warm up exercises, Air Assault Rappel Masters gave a quick run-through of the Air Assault Obstacle Course and explained safety guidelines.

Following the physically demanding challenges of the confidence course, Soldiers of HHB were given opportunities to try any of several rappels off the Air Assault Tower to include a standard, Swiss-seat style rappel, a headfirst commando-style, and a sprawling “Aussie” style.

“I used to rappel all the time off of cliffs back home, but it’s a different experience when you don’t have something to plant your feet on and run down,” said Spc. Timothy McDowell.

HHB Soldiers who have been through the Air Assault course found the morning’s experience an enjoyable reminder.

“The actual Air Assault School at Fort Campbell is two weeks of mental and physical challenges. It’s designed to teach air assault skills and procedures and improve leadership skills,” said 1st Sgt. Lula Sharpe.

Making the grade

While the rappel tower and obstacle course are always challenging, they are hardest when encountered during the course of Air Assault School – where each obstacle must be cleared to a specific standard. Sgt. 1st Class Edward D. Taitano, a rappel master and Equal Opportunity NCO with 108th ADA Bde., said that Soldiers who want the full, actual Air Assault School experience should expect to endure the following:

Obstacle Course – All items on the obstacle course must be successfully negotiated to standard.

Physical Training - PT is conducted daily. Distance runs of up to three miles are standard.

Rappelling - Students are required to tie a series of knots and conduct graded rappels from walls and helicopters. they must successfully complete three day and two night helicopter rappels.

Troop Ladder – All students will ascend and descend the troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter.

Rigging and Sling Loading - Candidates are taught and tested on how to prepare, rig and inspect numerous pieces of Army equipment for helicopter transport.

Road Marches - candidates must complete a six-mile road march in one hour and 30 minutes or less; they must also complete, at the end of the course, a 12-mile road march in three hours or less.

Evaluations - After each phase of training, all students are given a written and practical examination based on a PASS/FAIL system..



www.bliss.army.mil		Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	May 27, 2004

(From top) Spc. Elena Ortiz rappels down the tower commando-style. Sgt. Hassane Sonko negotiates an obstacle called “the weaver.” Sgt. Genaro Villanueva, Spc. Daniel Ramirez II, Pfc. Christopher Eichman and Sgt. Hassane Sonko roll a barrel filled with gravel between obstacles. HHB, 11th ADA Soldiers low-crawl between the Air Assault Confidence Course obstacles.	Imperial Brigade, Air Assault PT Spc. Mark Miranda 11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs Soldiers of Headquarters, Headquarters Battery, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade got a taste of the tough requirements of Air Assault school May 12, during Physical Training at the obstacle course. “It’s an opportunity for something different — we always strive to make PT interesting; more so than the usual distance runs in the mornings,” said Staff Sgt. Luis Rodriguez. Before conducting stretches and warm up exercises, Air Assault Rappel Masters gave a quick run-through of the Air Assault Obstacle Course and explained safety guidelines. Following the physically demanding challenges of the confidence course, Soldiers of HHB were given opportunities to try any of several rappels off the Air Assault Tower to include a standard, Swiss-seat style rappel, a headfirst commando-style, and a sprawling “Aussie” style. “I used to rappel all the time off of cliffs back home, but it’s a different experience when you don’t have something to plant your feet on and run down,” said Spc. Timothy McDowell. HHB Soldiers who have been through the Air Assault course found the morning’s experience an enjoyable reminder. “The actual Air Assault School at Fort Campbell is two weeks of mental and physical challenges. It’s designed to teach air assault skills and procedures and improve leadership skills,” said 1st Sgt. Lula Sharpe. Making the grade While the rappel tower and obstacle course are always challenging, they are hardest when encountered during the course of Air Assault School – where each obstacle must be cleared to a specific standard. Sgt. 1st Class Edward D. Taitano, a rappel master and Equal Opportunity NCO with 108th ADA Bde., said that Soldiers who want the full, actual Air Assault School experience should expect to endure the following: Obstacle Course – All items on the obstacle course must be successfully negotiated to standard. Physical Training - PT is conducted daily. Distance runs of up to three miles are standard. Rappelling - Students are required to tie a series of knots and conduct graded rappels from walls and helicopters. they must successfully complete three day and two night helicopter rappels. Troop Ladder – All students will ascend and descend the troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter. Rigging and Sling Loading - Candidates are taught and tested on how to prepare, rig and inspect numerous pieces of Army equipment for helicopter transport. Road Marches - candidates must complete a six-mile road march in one hour and 30 minutes or less; they must also complete, at the end of the course, a 12-mile road march in three hours or less. Evaluations - After each phase of training, all students are given a written and practical examination based on a PASS/FAIL system..