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NEWS | Feb. 5, 2017

Aviation crew supports Fort Lee Sling Load Inspector Course

By Staff Sgt. Ananda H. Johnson | Virginia National Guard Public Affairs Office

A Virginia National Guard aviation crew assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment conducted sling load operations in support of the Fort Lee-based Sling Load Inspector Course Feb. 3, 2017, at Fort Lee, Virginia. The air crew of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter demonstrated its sling load capability in conjunction with the multi-branch class of Sling Load Inspector students by transporting a Humvee and a heavily loaded metallic container on multiple flight patterns in the training area.

The mission was to support real world application of sling loads with the skills being taught to the Sling Load Inspector course, said Capt. Ryan Strait, a UH-60 pilot assigned to 2nd Battalion. By allowing students in the class to guide the helicopter in and hook a sling load to the aircraft, the importance of their lessons was demonstrated in the successful execution of the operation.

The Fort Lee class consisted of service members from the navy, army, Iraqi military and government contracted establishments. The students received a briefing and tour of theUH-60 before the sling load operations began.

“It was an excellent training opportunity to hone our skills,” said Strait. “They needed it, we needed it, and we all got better as a team in a very important capability.”

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