Air Force Pave Hawks integrate with Army Apaches

Senior Airman Chris Bridges, a HH-60 Pave Hawk gunner for the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, scans the horizon for any threats during a combat search and rescue mission near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 25. The 33rd ERQS was conducting training for integrated operations with the Army’s AH-64 Apache for CSAR in high threat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez/Released)

Air Force Pave Hawks integrate with Army Apaches

A HH-60 Pave Hawk conducts combat search and rescue training mission near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 25. The training mission was conducted with support from the Army’s AH-64 Apaches in an effort to integrate operations in high threat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez/Released)

Air Force Pave Hawks integrate with Army Apaches

A HH-60 Pave Hawks prepares to land during a combat search and rescue mission near Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 25. For the first time in Afghanistan, the search and rescue mission was conducted with fire support from the Army’s AH-64 Apache. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez/Released)

Air Force Pave Hawks integrate with Army Apaches

Army Chief Warrant Officer Christopher Stewart, an AH-64 Apache pilot, debriefs a joint training mission with Air Force Capt. Ryan Voneida, a HH-60 Pave Hawk pilot assigned to the 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron, at Bagram Air Field, Afghanistan, Sept. 26. For the first time in Afghanistan, the Apaches and Pave Hawks are integrating operations to allow for combat search and rescue missions in high threat environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez/Released)

Air Force Pave Hawks integrate with Army Apaches for mission enhancement

Published Oct. 3, 2008
By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez
455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- With the military becoming an increasingly joint environment, a group of Airmen and Soldiers here took integration one step further with rotary wing aviation operations in Afghanistan.

While the Army AH-64 Apache and Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk have flown medical evacuation missions together for some time now in Afghanistan, on Sept. 25 they flew their first joint combat search and rescue training mission.

"The idea is that if (we're given) a mission where the threat level is such that we need the support of the Apaches, we would be prepared," said Lt. Col. John Trumpfheller, 33rd Expeditionary Rescue Squadron commander. "It allows us to be more effective and more successful at doing combat search and rescue missions."

Before the training missions could be flown, months of planning and deliberation had to take place.

"We've done all the planning, we sat down and briefed and talked through a dry run," said Trumpfheller. "Our flight leads went out and briefed with the (Army) warrant officers and got a familiarization flight in the simulator."

Taking a crawl, walk, run approach to the integration, the aircrews were finally prepared to fly a training mission.

"The intent of the flight is to validate standard operating procedures for the HH-60 and AH-64 to operate together," said Trumpfheller. "We are practicing recovering isolated personnel while the Apache suppresses any threat in and around the isolated personnel."

Two .50- caliber machine guns provide the Pave Hawk with fire power, but integrating operations with the Apaches provides even more coverage. The Apache is equipped with HELLFIRE missiles, 2.75" rockets and a 30 millimeter chain gun.

"While we have our own guns, we are coordinating who covers what areas and how we are going to employ weapons from both," explained Trumpfheller.

With the first training mission complete, Pave Hawk and Apache aircrews are taking any lessons learned and preparing for their next joint training mission.

"The first mission went smoothly," said Capt. Tom Harley, a Pave Hawk pilot with the 33rd ERQS. "This says a lot of the joint training and joint publications. Practicing these joint techniques, tactics and procedures should provide for further alert coverage in higher threat environments."

"It's well worth the time spent on coordination - it's really a necessity," added Chief Warrant Officer Michael Nelson, an Apache pilot assigned to Task Force Shadow. "It's better that we practice this now before we have to do a real operation."

As training continues between the Pave Hawk and Apaches, both aircrews are looking forward to further integrating the combat search and rescue mission in Afghanistan.