Big Windy conducts whiteout environmental training

Spc. Raymond Rader, a CH-47 Helicopter repair technician, returns to his CH-47 Chinook after rigging and inspecting a payload prior to the sling load training at Katterbach Army Airfield, Jan. 20.

Story and photos by Capt. Jaymon Bell, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade Public Affairs

ANSBACH, Germany (Jan. 20, 2016) – A CH-47 Chinook helicopter from H Company, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, “Big Windy,” conducted environmental qualifications and sling-load training at Katterbach Army Airfield, here, Jan. 20.

Aircrews practice flying in conditions of low visibility caused by “whiteout” in areas with loose snow. The crews lower risk for future missions by conducting multiple training iterations in the snowy environment, and they practice performing all of their tactical missions in the “whiteout” conditions, including sling-load operations.

The 12th CAB trains and conducts aviation operations throughout the range of military operation in support of U.S. Army Europe, U.S. European Command, NATO, and in support of U.S. Central Command and U.S. African Command and other contingency locations around the globe.

To read the story as it appears on the Army News Service, visit www.army.mil/article/161227.

For a video of the training, visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNx_TJ-fMa8.

To learn more about the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, visit www.army.mil/12thCAB.