Air Assault School Patch - Ranger - Army Infantry - Ranger - 101st Airborne - SF For Sale

SABALAUSKI AIR ASSAULT PATCH SABALAUSKI AIR ASSAULT SCHOOL
5\" HIGHLY DETAILED EMBROIDERED PATCH
MERROWED EDGE - WAX BACKING
AIR ASSAULT SCHOOL IS LOCATED AT FORT CAMPBELL, KENTUCKY
HOME OF THE 101ST AIRBORNE DIVISION
United States Army Air Assault School

The Sabalauski Air Assault School (TSAAS) is a FORSCOM TDA unit located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Its primary task is training leaders and soldiers assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), other United States Army units and United States Armed Forces service members in several courses annually.

Background

Air Assault School qualifies soldiers to conduct airmobile and air assault helicopter operations, to include aircraft orientation, slingload operations, proper rappelling techniques and fast-rope techniques. The school itself is 10 days of rigorous, fast paced training. The high standards of the school require the student to take part in a 12-mile march with rucksack in under three hours on the morning of graduation to be awarded their wings.
The original school is located at Fort Campbell, Kentucky (home of the 101st Airborne Division). There are also or have been schools at Fort Rucker, Alabama; Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; Fort Hood, Texas; Camp Blanding, Florida; Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Drum, New York; Fort Ord, California, Fort Richardson, Alaska and elsewhere. Instructors at the course are referred to as Air Assault Sergeants. It is open to both males and females. The school is composed of learning helicopter insertion techniques, pathfinder operations, sling load operations as well as rappelling from buildings, cliffs and helicopters. Each day begins with rigorous physical training that includes unit runs from two to five miles. Attention to detail and tedious packing lists, the contents of which you carry in a 35 pound ruck sack daily, are also the order of the day; one missing item from these lists or failing any task from any phase of the course, could cause the student to be dropped from the school immediately.

Courses offered at the Air Assault School include: Air Assault, Pathfinder, Pre-Ranger, Rappel Master and Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction (FRIES)/Special Purpose Insertion Extraction (SPIES) Master courses. TSAAS is also home to the Division\'s Parachute Demonstration Team.

The 101st Airborne Division, a parachute and glider-borne unit that conducted two jumps during World War II, was converted to an Airmobile unit in 1968 in Vietnam, becoming the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). The parenthetical designation changed to Air Assault in late 1974. According to popular myth, the Airborne tab over the unit\'s Screaming Eagle shoulder patch remains because two of the division\'s units, a parachute rigger detachment and a pathfinder company, are both still on jump status. There is, however, no basis for this under AR 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. According to The Institute of Heraldry, the Airborne tab is “an intrinsic part of shoulder sleeve insignia,” not a detachable insignia added if a unit is on jump status, and according to its records the unit is still designated the 101st Airborne Division. There are numerous other non-parachute units with subordinate parachute units, such as long range surveillance troops (company equivalents) within battlefield surveillance brigades, but their presence does not entitle entire brigades to wear the Airborne tab. Regarding the division’s remaining parachute units, it now has one pathfinder company in each of its two aviation brigades, but the rigger unit was separated from the division many years ago. Parachute rigger support is now provided by the locally-assigned 4th Platoon of the Fort Bragg-based 647th Quartermaster Company.

Graduation from the Air Assault School is not required to be a Soldier in the 101st, but it is looked upon as an achievement of excellence by the chain of command.
In 1998, a new 34-foot (10 m) tower was completed and Phase Three began to train at this site. On 17 December 1999 the new Sabalauski Air Assault School facility was dedicated and for the first time in several years all phases of instruction are conducted at one facility. Over sixty classes are run annually, training over 8,000 soldiers per year.


Training

Air Assault School is a 10 ½ day course that teaches air assault techniques and procedures, and qualifies soldiers to wear the Air Assault Badge.

Inspection
This inspection is extremely meticulous. It is conducted after the six mile foot-march on day one. Soldiers must have all items on the packing list each student is given. All clean and serviceable (in usable condition). If a soldier is missing any item during the inspection, that soldier will have points deducted. The inspection has a very specific lay-out that the soldier must adhere to. Every item must be placed exactly how the Air Assault Sergeants displayed on day zero, and all items must be laid out \"as worn.\"


Obstacle course and two-mile run
The obstacle course is designed to assess a student’s upper body strength, agility, endurance, confidence, and ability to perform at heights without displaying fear or distress. This test is critical in determining if a student will be able to complete Air Assault School without becoming a safety risk to themselves, instructors, or other students during the tough and demanding training events conducted throughout the course. There are nine total obstacles. There are two obstacles that are considered mandatory, and failing one of the two will result in being dropped from the course. The other seven are minor obstacles, and the Air Assault prospect is allowed to fail one of the seven and still continue. This means that failing two of the minor obstacles will result in being dropped from the course.
Prior to the obstacle course, students will conduct a two-mile (3.2km) run. Students must complete the run in under 18:00 to receive a \"GO\" in the event (meaning satisfactory completion of the event). The uniform for the run is Army Combat Uniform (ACU – minus the ACU Top depending on the season in which the training cycle begins) with running shoes.


Phase One – Combat Assault
Phase One, the Combat Assault Phase, is three days long. During this phase, soldiers receive instructions on the following tasks:
Aircraft Safety
Aircraft Orientation – includes the familiarization of the characteristics and capabilities of Army aircraft
Aero Medical Evacuation – includes the capabilities and request procedures for MEDEVAC aircraft
Pathfinder Operations – HLZ selection, marking and operation for day and night missions involving multiple aircraft, to include sling loads
Hand-and-arm signals – soldiers are taught 17 hand-and-arm signals used during sling load operations
Close Combat Attacks – use of attack in a close air support (CAS) role
Combat Assault Operations – includes various factors encompassed in an air assault operation such as: components of an air assault mission, the reverse planning sequence, duties and responsibilities of platoon-level personnel during an air assault, static load training, and a simulated combat assault on UH-60 aircraft
Soldiers are given two tests:
Written – The written test consists of 50 multiple-choice question. Soldiers must achieve 70 percent to receive a \"GO\" on the written test.
Hands-on – Students are tested on 10 of 16 hand-and-arm signals and must correctly perform seven of the 10 to receive a \"GO\". Soldiers must pass both tests to move on to the Sling Load Phase. They are allowed one retest per exam.


Phase Two – Slingload Operations
Phase Two, Slingload Operations, is three days long. During the Sling Load Phase, soldiers receive instruction on various aspects of sling load operations. This includes:
Planning and preparation for sling load operations
Capabilities, characteristics, and use of sling load equipment
Duties and responsibilities of sling load personnel
Familiarization with sling load theory and rigging of non-standard loads
Students receive hands-on training on preparation, rigging, and inspection of several certified or suitable external loads. These may include the following loads:
M1097 HMMWV
M1097 HMMWV, shotgun/side-by-side configuration
M119 105mm Howitzer
M149A2 Water Trailer
A-22 Cargo Bag
Fuel Blivets (one, two, three, or four blivit configuration)
5000 lb or 10,000 lb Cargo Net
The soldiers will also conduct an actual hook-up of a load underneath a CH-47 or UH-60 aircraft. In this phase, soldiers are given two tests:
Written – The written test consists of 50 multiple-choice question. Soldiers must achieve 70 percent to receive a \"GO\" on the written test.
Hands-on – Students are tested on four of the six loads taught. Students must identify three out of four preparation and/or rigging deficiencies within two minutes per load to receive a \"GO\".
Soldiers must pass both tests to move on to the next phase. They are allowed one retest per exam.


Phase Three – Rappelling Phase
Phase Three, the Rappelling Phase is three days long. During this phase, soldiers receive instruction on basic ground and aircraft rappelling procedures, to include the following tasks:
Tying of the hip-rappel seat (Swiss seat)
Hook-up techniques
Lock-in procedures
Rappel with and without combat equipment
Belay procedures
Fast Rope familiarization
Soldiers will conduct two rappels on the wall side of the school\'s 34-foot (10 m) tower, 9 to 12 rappels from the open side, and two additional rappels from a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter hovering at 70–90 feet. All rappels are conducted with and without combat equipment. During fast rope familiarization, students conduct a controlled descent and a static hold for five seconds. Students that successfully conduct both descents from a 12-foot (3.7 m) platform then descend from the 34-foot (10 m) tower using the stack-out/rapid exit technique. Fast rope descents are conducted without combat equipment. Soldiers are tested on:
Tie the Hip rappel (Swiss) seat (the 90 second time limit has been reinstated)
Hook-up to a rappel rope without deficiency (the 15 second time limit has been reinstated)
Conduct three rappels: lock-in rappel, rappel without combat equipment (also known as a \"Hollywood\" rappel) with three controlled brakes, and combat equipment rappel with three controlled brakes
Soldiers must pass all tests to move on to the next phase and are allowed one retest per exam. The reason the standards of this course are so strict, is because if the soldier does not grasp and then master the skills that are being taught, the chances of an accident increase greatly. The margin for error in this type of training is small.


12-Mile Foot March
The final event is the 12-mile (19 km) foot march. Soldiers must complete the 12-mile (19 km) foot march with the prescribed uniform and equipment in three hours or less in order to graduate. The foot march is a graded task and a graduation requirement for Air Assault School.

Graduation
Graduates are awarded the Air Assault Badge and the 2B ASI (Additional Skill Identifier). Unless, you did not come out of the helicopter are qualified to inspect rigged sling loads.
Graduates in the rank of Corporal (E-4) and above are qualified to perform as rappel lane NCOs for ground rappel training and are eligible to attend the Rappel Master Course.
Graduates in the rank of Sergeant First Class (E-7) or above are qualified to serve as a rappel site Safety Officer for ground and aircraft rappelling.


The 101st Airborne Division:

The 101st Airborne Division was activated August 16, 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. MG William C. Lee

Its first Commanding General, Major General William C. Lee, noted that the Division had no history, but that it had a “rendezvous with destiny” and that the new Division would be habitually called into action when the need was ‘immediate and extreme”.

Throughout its 66-year history, the Division has amassed a proud record, in both war and peace, unmatched by any other unit.

Bastogne

Following its activation and initial training in the United States, the Division embarked for the European Theater of Operations in September, 1943 where it continuing its training in

England. During the early morning hours of June 6th, 1944, the Screaming Eagles parachuted into the Contentin Peninsula becoming the first Allied Soldiers to set foot onto occupied France.

The 101st Airborne Division, charged with clearing the way for the 4th Infantry Division’s landing on Utah Beach, eventually linked the Utah and Omaha beachheads and liberated the city of Carentan. After a month of fighting, the Division returned to England to prepare for future operations.

On September 17th, 1944 the Division jumped into The Netherlands spearheading Operation MARKET GARDEN. Holding a narrow 16-mile corridor through enemy-held territory, the Division fought against heavy odds for 72 days.

In late-November, 1944, the Division returned to France for a well-deserved rest. The rest would be a short one. To counteract the massive German offensive through the Ardennes Forest in mid-December 1944, the 101st Airborne Division was unexpectedly recalled to the front. Responsible for defending the critical road junction at Bastogne, Belgium, the 101st Airborne Division was surrounded by strong enemy forces that demanded its immediate surrender. Responding to the German ultimatum, Brigadier Anthony C. McAuliffe made history with his famous one-word reply…”Nuts!”. Although the siege of Bastogne was broken on December 26th, 1944, intense fighting continued until mid-January, 1945 as Allied units reduces Nazi gains in the Ardennes salient.

Attacking the heart of Germany through the Ruhr valley, the 101st Airborne Division pursued retreating German forces into Bavaria. In spring 1945, the Screaming Eagles liberated the Landsberg concentration camp and Hitler’s mountaintop retreat in Bertchtesgaden. The end of World War II in Europe relegated the 101st Airborne to occupation duties in Germany, Austria, and France.

The Division was inactivated on November 30th, 1945.

The immediate post-war period marked an intermittent existence for the Screaming Eagles. The period is marked by several reactivations and inactivations at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Official reactivation ceremonies, held on September 21, 1956, marked the 101st Airborne Division’s return to active duty as the Army’s first nuclear capable, Pentomic Division and its debut at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

In September 1957, elements of the 101st Airborne Division were ordered to Little Rock, Arkansas by President Eisenhower. As part of Operation ARKANSAS, the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 327th Little Rock NineInfantry escorted the first nine African-American students–the “Little Rock Nine”—as they attended classes at Little Rock Central High School. Successful, the Bastogne Bulldogs returned to Fort Campbell in late-1957.

On July 29th, 1965, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was ordered to the Republic of Vietnam earning the nick-name of “The Nomads of Vietnam”. The remainder of the Division remained at Fort Campbell until ordered to Vietnam in late-1967. During the enemy’s ill-fated Tet Offensive in 1968, the Screaming Eagles were involved in combat operations from Saigon to Quang Tri Province.

101st in Vietnam.In August 1968, the Screaming Eagles shed their parachutes in favor of helicopter-borne operations earning a new designation---the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). After the Tet Offensive, the Division settled into Thua Thien Province and continued offensive operations there until redeployed to the United States in early-1972.

The post Vietnam period was a time of change for the Army and the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). In February-1974, then-Major General Sidney Berry signed Division General Order 179 authorizing wear of the new Airmobile (late Air Assault) qualification badge. Reflecting a shift in structure and orientation, the Division was re-designated as the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) on October 4th, 1974.

In March 1982, elements of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) began six-month deployments to the Sinai Peninsula as members of the Multinational Force of Observers. Tragedy struck in December 1985, when 248 Screaming Eagles redeploying from the Sinai were killed in a charter airplane crash near Gander, Newfoundland.

In August 1990, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) deployed to the Middle East in support of Operations DESERT SHIELD AND DESERT STORM. During the Liberation of Kuwait, the Division fired the first shots of the air war, and conducted the longest and largest air assault operations to date, securing Iraqi territory in the Euphrates River Valley. With announcement of the Safwan cease-fire in February, 1991, the 101st began redeployment preparations. By May 1991, the Screaming eagles were home.Desert Storm

The 1990s was a busy time for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) seeing numerous deployments in support of stability and support operations world-wide. Fort Campbell-based units were deployed to Somalia, Haiti, the Sinai Peninsula, Central and South America, Bosnia, and Kosovo.

In the wake of the 9-11 terrorist attacks, elements of the Division quickly deployed to protect susceptible facilities in the United States from potential attack. Almost immediately, the 3rd Brigade Combat Team deployed to Afghanistan in November, 2001. In March 2002, the Rakassans were, in part, responsible for offensive operations in the Shoh-I-Khot Valley that dealt a crippling early blow to the Taliban and al-Qaeda. After a challenging six-month deployment, 3rd Brigade redeployed to the United States.

In February and March 2003, the Division deployed to Kuwait in anticipation of combat operations against Saddam Hussein’s regime. In a grueling air and ground movement of 570 kilometers through hostile territory and intense combat in urban areas, the Division exhibited its flexibility, lethality and firepower at every turn. D/3-327th in IraqFighting its way from Najaf, through Karbala and Hillah, the Division eventually consolidated in Southern Baghdad in mid-April, 2003. Ordered to Northern Iraq shortly thereafter, the Division conducted the longest air assault in history and quickly assumed responsibility for Mosul, Iraq’s second largest city, and the four surrounding provinces. In the months that followed, the Division concentrated on the goals of re-establishing security, the restoration of basic services, and reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. During this period, the Screaming Eagles underwrote the completion of 5,000 reconstruction projects, killed Uday and Qusay Hussein, and captured over 500 anti-Coalition insurgents.

The Division redeployed to Fort Campbell in early-2004. During the year that followed, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) fully recovered and completely reorganized under the new Army Transformation Organizational structure in anticipation of its second deployment to Iraq.

In November 2005, the Division Headquarters, the 1st and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams, and the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Iraq for a second time. As Task Force Band of Brothers, the Division assumed responsibility for the northern half of Iraq; the largest area of operation in the country. Partnered with four Iraqi Army divisions, the Screaming Eagles focused their efforts on developing credible Iraqi Security Force units that were capable of independent counter-insurgency operations. This monumental effort resulted in vastly improved security and the transfer of several areas to Iraqi control prior to the Division’s redeployment in October, 2006. Under the new modular structure, 2nd and 4th Brigade Combat Teams and the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade were attached to other Multinational Division or Multinational Force commands elsewhere in Iraq.

Fort Campbell entered the final phases of the Army’s historic modular transformation in late 2006. In thisScreaming Eagle in Iraq. phase, the XVIII Airborne Corps shed its peacetime command responsibilities for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT) – a relationship that began prior to the 1944 invasion of Holland, and the Division became a direct reporting unit to Forces Command. Additional command and control changes saw Fort Lee, Virginia’s 49th Quartermaster Group join the Fort Campbell family.

Late-2007 saw the majority of the Division deployed again. The Division’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigade Combat Teams and elements of the Sustainment Brigade deployed independently to Iraq where each served under the command of different Multinational Divisions then conducting combat operations throughout Iraq. Soldiers of the 49th Quartermaster deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan to support combat and combat support operations. The 101st Combat Aviation Brigade deployed to Afghanistan and was eventually relieved by the 159th Combat Aviation Brigade.

In March 2008, the Headquarters (and Special Troops Battalion) 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) joined the 4th Brigade Combat Team and the 101st Sustainment Brigade in Afghanistan in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. As Combined Joint Task Force 101 (CJTF-101), the Division Headquarters was supported by many attached Coalition units and was responsible for an area of operation the size of Pennsylvania designated as Regional Command-East. Composed of 14 provinces, including much of the volatile border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan, as well as the Hindu Kush and Afghan Control Highlands, Regional Command-East were posed unique and difficult set of challenges unlike anything previously experienced.

The Soldiers of CJTF-101 thrived in their role as both Soldier/diplomats and warriors. CJTF-101 helped restore the Afghan people’s confidence and trust in their government, while improving their quality of life through more than 2500 innovative development projects. As warriors, CJTF-101 aggressively trained Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and, side-by-side, relentlessly pursued insurgent groups wherever they could be found.

The Division’s effort in Afghanistan resulted in successful and decisive operations at every level producing a significantly improved Afghan National Security Force committed to the defense of their country. Similarly, Screaming Eagles in Iraq measurably improved the quality of life of the Iraqi people and their trust in the Iraqi Army. Every Screaming Eagle should be proud of their efforts to assist Afghanistan and Iraq to resume their rightful place among the peaceful community of nations.