RI National Guard Visit, Quonset Point
| Continuing our string of activities during the statewide school vacation week, Sea Cadets visited two Rhode Island National Guard facilities on Friday, 24 February. In a joint visit, NCBC Cadets and their shipmates from FALCON Division in Providence and NETC Division in Newport spent the morning with the 143d Airlift Wing, the famous "Rhode Warriors" of RI Air National Guard at Quonset Point. The Cadets enjoyed a comprehensive training session with the 143d's Security Force, tasked with security responsibilities for the joint civilian and military operations at the Quonset State Airport. The Cadet Contingent was then given a thorough briefing on the missions of the Wing in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and for state Homeland Security responsibilities. The visit then culminated in a checkout tour aboard the workhorse of the Wing, the C-130J "Hercules" tactical transport aircraft.
We are grateful for the support of Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Haynes, Rhode Island National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters Commander; and for the efforts of Col. Lawrence Gallogly, 143d Airlift Wing Commander, and the 143d leadership team in making our time with the RI Air National Guard a visit to remember.
After lunch the Cadets crossed the Quonset facility for an afternoon visit with the 1/126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard. The Cadets received a hands-on overview of recently-completed air assault and air movement operations by the 1/126th in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Company A and D, 1st Battalion of the Regiment returned from their deployment in Iraq two months earlier, and their Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters had arrived by ship from the operational theater just a few weeks prior to our visit. This provided the Cadets with a graphic opportunity to understand something of the punishing environment the aircraft and their crews were subjected to in Iraq - the effects of the abrasive sand and pervasive dust were still very evident, which no amount of cleanings and repeated washdowns could completely remove. It was very obvious that these aircraft and the personnel of the 1/126th were heavily utilized during their deployment in Iraq.
The Naval Sea Cadets in Rhode Island thank Col. Kenneth Gareau, director of aviation and safety for the Rhode Island Army National Guard, and the leadership team of the 126th Aviation Regiment for their support in hosting this portion of our visit with the RI Guard activities at Quonset Point. With nearly 400 Rhode Islanders currently deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, our Cadets well appreciate the sacrifice and dedication of the men and women of the RI National Guard on our behalf.
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Cadets hone their response skills
Alongside the C-130J
The gunner's window in the UH-60A |
143d Airlift Wing, RI Air National Guard:
The finer points of the M-16 |
Weapons' safety, first and last |
The safety lecture continues |
Setting up on the electronic threat range |
Getting the balance right on the M16A2 |
Sighting down the 12 guage shotgun |
Reviewing pistol mechanisms |
CMAA checks sights on the threat range |
Setting up on the firing line |
The threat simulation exercise begins |
CO, NIMITZ Division, directs a range scenario |
Cadets conduct post-game analysis |
Reviewing threat range actions and results |
Sea Cadets show their stuff |
LCol Comstock gives Wing OPS briefing |
Cadets get an education on current missions |
Beginning checkout briefing aboard C130J |
J-model's extra 15 feet comes in handy |
Loadmaster describes how things are really done |
Getting seat time in the cockpit of the C130J |
The big chair feels pretty good |
Cadet imagines the possibilities |
LCol Comstock describes his world |
Enjoying the jump seats, ready for wheels-up |
Getting an education on the HUD |
View through port HUD |
1/126th Aviation Regiment, Rhode Island Army National Guard:
Say hello to the UH-60A |
CW-4 Pino describes his deployment |
[sound - THUNK] "WHAT BROKE?" |
Note the leading edge of the main rotor |
Bird strike and projectile damage observed |
Maintenance, maintenance, and more maintenance |
D company's work was never done |
Interior spaces and mission capabilities |
The scale of operations are briefed |
Seat time! Cadet tries it out. |
So many switches and buttons... |
...and so little time to flip them all |
Ready for "driver's ed" for real machines |
Cadet is ready to spin up |
Enjoying the moment |
Serious thinking - the possibilities are limitless |
National Guard as a career path is explained |
Personal histories focus the Cadets' perspective |
MEDEVAC missions for the UH-1 "Huey" contingent |
Cadet exercises the Cyclic |
Huey's are lined up for inspection |
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