Afghan crew chiefs learn the ropes

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan– As the rotor blades began to turn, two Afghan National Army Air Corps crew chiefs studied every movement of their American counterparts. It was the first flight day for the five ANAAC crew chiefs taking part of the Afghan National Security Force Crew Chief Academy, created by the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, Task Force Falcon, Feb. 20 at Bagram Airfield.

“We wanted to show them how crew coordination works,” said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. James Parker, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, TF Brawler, 3rd CAB, TF Falcon, and academy instructor. “You have a limited ability to teach in the classroom, even with our simulator. Here they actually see what we do and I think a light-bulb clicked on.”

During the three Blackhawk flights, two TF Falcon crew chiefs sat in their normal positions, manning the door gun while making and responding to calls. An interpreter sat in the middle of the first row of seats next to the TF Falcon crew chiefs with an ANAAC crew chief sitting on either side. All wore headsets, and as the TF Falcon crew chiefs communicated with their pilots and each other the interpreter then explained to ANAAC crew chiefs what was being said.

“With the initial flight we wanted them to listen to how we make calls and how we respond to calls during flight,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Matthew West, Company A, TF Knighthawk, 3rd CAB, TF Falcon. “We want them to understand the importance of communicating with the pilots.”

The ANAAC crew chief’s first flight day came a week after the opening of the academy and after five days of classroom academics. During the past week the crew chiefs were instructed on lessons on how to prepare an aircraft for flight, how to wear a flight vest and attach it to the air craft and how to communicate with one another during flight.

“They’re picking it up very fast, every day they learn something new,” said West. “We ask them basic questions at the end of the day and they answer them all so we know they’re learning the material and understanding it. Their enthusiasm is high and they pay attention in class.”

For Abdul Wali, one of the ANAAC crew chiefs, he says his enthusiasm and willingness to pay attention in class is based on 27 years of wanting to be a crew chief.

“I wanted to be a crew chief because I want to help my country and I like this job – and flying,” said Wali. “Today we saw what we are supposed to be doing, and that’s the important part. We learned what we need to do and what (the 3rd CAB flight crews do) so, in the future, we can fly missions together.”

The academy is one of two academies within the TF Falcon Combined Action Program, the other being the ANSF Air Assault Academy. After graduating the Crew Chief Academy, the ANAAC crew chiefs will immediately begin air assault training with the opening day scheduled for March 6 at Bagram Airfield. The Air Assault Academy will not only include ANAAC soldiers but also ANA commandos.