Submitted and 
Prepared by the Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office
WHAT: A U.S. Army air assault course will be conducted. The physically-demanding course is focused on teaching combat assault operations involving helicopters. Media are invited to observe Soldiers during this training.
WHEN: The course will run February 14-25. Days with the best visual interest will be: Weather permitting.
Feb. 15 for the Obstacle Course, 8:30am –
Noon, All Students will be through the course by noon.
Feb. 24 where the Soldiers will be rappelling from helicopters between 11:30am and 2pm.
*****Please call the day prior if interested in attending. The schedule may be adjusted due ****
******to weather conditions.*******
Feb. 25 when the Soldier will graduate from the course and be awarded their badges. Interested media should contact the Florida National Guard public affairs office to coordinate coverage times and entry onto Camp Blanding.
WHERE: Camp Blanding Joint Training Center, near Starke, Fla.
The air assault course incorporates mental and physical challenges to teach air assault skills and procedures, improve basic leadership skills, instill air assault spirit and award the Air Assault Badge.
Media are encouraged to observe the demanding school course as active duty U.S. Army Soldiers and potentially local Florida Army National Guard Soldiers participate to earn the badge. The course will include challenges such as:
Obstacle Course
Physical Training –
Conduct distance runs of up to three miles as the standard
Rappelling –
Tie a series of knots and conduct graded rappels from walls and helicopters; successfully complete three day and two night helicopter rappels
Troop Ladder –
Ascend and descend the troop ladder on a 35-foot tower and a CH-47 helicopter
Rigging and Sling Loading –
Prepare, rig and inspect numerous pieces of Army equipment for helicopter transport
Road Marches –
Complete a six-mile road march in one hour and 30 minutes or less; also complete a 12-mile road march in three hours or less at the end of the course
Evaluations – After each phase of training, all students are given a written and practical examination based on a “pass/fail”
system
To graduate, the student must receive a “pass” at the end of each phase. This course, like the U.S. Army’
s Airborne school, is a fast-paced exercise in mental alertness and physical endurance. Soldiers must meet the high standards of the 101st Airborne Division prior to being awarded the Air Assault Badge.
The following link is for a short video clip that will provide a basic concept of the course:
http://dvidshub.net/?script=video/video_show.php&id=54181
Contact the Florida National Guard Public Affairs office at (904) 823-0166 for further details and coordination.
