Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) at
Hohenfels in Germany; an exercise which
practised interoperability with Albanian, British,
Canadian, Czech, Danish, Italian, Lithuanian,
Polish and Romanian forces – only the US
Army sent aircraft. The Multiple Integrated
Laser Engagement System (MILES) was used
which was attached to the helicopters, vehicles
and troops. This created a digital environment
in which lasers and blank cartridges simulated
fire, with receivers sounding when a target was
hit. While at JMRC, 1-227th Apache pilot 1LT
Ethan Gleue said: “You can use all the Apache’s
different weapons systems through MILES, so
we could ‘destroy’ a tank with a Hellfire missile
just like we could in real life – it’s a really good
way to train. There are also threats that could
‘shoot us down’ by firing laser pulses at us.”
In addition to the large exercises, the 1-227th
is practising area and zone reconnaissance.
The former involves obtaining detailed
information about the terrain or enemy activity
within a prescribed area, while the latter relates
to gathering details on all routes, obstacles,
terrain and enemy forces within a zone with set
boundaries. It is also undertaking drills for air
assault, security escorts and close air support.
In addition, it will perform ‘hasty’ strikes (an
unexpected situation) and ‘deliberate’ attacks (a
pre-planned mission).Crews will also have the chance to conduct
live firing at Grafenwoehr Training Area in
Germany. Captain Tyler Federwisch, a 1-227th
Apache pilot, said: “There are different levels
of qualifications. We qualify as a crew, so both
pilots will undertake multiple qualifications.
We’ll shoot rockets and 30mm [M230 chain
gun] and undertake stationary, running and
diving fire – all the different modes we use to
practise technique and crew co-ordination.
We’ll then go back and watch the tape sitting
with an instructor pilot or master gunner and
go through everything about what we did right
and wrong.” The firing of Hellfire missiles is
being simulated using training rounds that
enable crews to practise procedures without
anything coming off the helicopter.LOBOS
Another unit under the 1st ACB is the 2nd
General Support Aviation Battalion, 227th
Aviation Regiment (2-227th AVN [GSAB])
nicknamed the Lobos. Its role is to provideair assault, air movement, heavy lift and
aeromedical evacuation.
The Lobos have deployed overseas
numerous times to support operations in
recent decades such as to Iraq, the Balkans
and Afghanistan. It has also provided
humanitarian relief after natural disasters
at home and abroad, such as Hurricane
Katrina in New Orleans, Louisiana and after
an earthquake in Pakistan in 2005. On this
rotation, the 2-227th has adopted Katterbach
Army Airfield, Germany as its main base.
Much like the 1-227th, the Lobos are split
into subordinate units: Alpha Company (A/2-
227th AVN) nicknamed the Vultures operate
the UH-60L Black Hawk providing an air
assault capability. It sent eight airframes to
participate in Atlantic Resolve and performs the
roles of tactical transport of troops, providing
air cover for other aircraft in the battalion and
occasionally undertaking VIP transport.
Bravo Company (B/2-227th AVN), known
as the Black Cats, is flying 12 CH-47F
Chinooks in Europe. Chief Warrant Officer 3
Witt Taylor, a Chinook pilot with the B/2-227th,
who had forward deployed with four of the
big helicopters to Hohenfels during Exercise
Allied Spirit VIII, detailed what lay ahead: “We
are going to be flying some foreign troops
around, some special forces and Polish joint68 Aviation News incorporating Jets June 2018Above: The crew chief of an HH-60M Black
Hawk gives guidance to the pilots as the
helicopter departs the forward arming and
refuelling point at Hohenfels.
Below: Polish JTACs board a CH-47F at
Hohenfels. Darren Wilmin/Aviation in Action66-69_acbDC.mfDC.mf.indd 68 01/05/2018 18:26