Photo Essay Courtesy of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. - During times of natural disasters some areas may be too remote or inaccessible for convoy resupply due to destruction or congested highways. These communities still need basic life support such as food and fresh water. The Kentucky Army National Guard possesses that ability.
Recently, Kentucky National Guardsmen of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, based out of Burlington, Ky. and Bravo Co. 2nd Battalion 147th Aviation, out of Frankfort, Ky. received training during the ARMY NORTH Vibrant Response Exercise on sling load operations. They distributed 500 gallon water blivets to a simulated devastated region. The training demonstrated seldom utilized capabilities to conduct relief operations during a natural disaster.
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"]
Sgt. Greg Wieland, a water purification specialist, with Alpha Company, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, 63rd Tactical Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard headquartered out of Burlington, Ky., signals a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as it carries a water blivet during a sling load operation during the U. S. Army North (Fifth Army) lead Vibrant Response 13-2 training exercise Aug. 2 at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The water blivet will be used to supply water to Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Night Hawk for hydration, cleaning, and cooking purposes. (Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandria Brimage-Gray/Released)
"The initiative taken by the Soldiers of Alpha Company, 1204th ASB and Bravo Company 2-147th to accomplish this mission demonstrate everything that is right about the Kentucky Army National Guard aviation community, " said Maj. Phil Robinson, commander of the 1204th. "The Soldiers and leaders from each unit capitalized upon an opportunity to combine their separate collective training events into a complex multi-echelon mission that provided some of the best training throughout the operation."
"I am proud of the fact that these Soldiers are continually striving to integrate all aspects of our capabilities in a continuous effort to be prepared for any civil support need within the Commonwealth."
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="518"]
Forward Area Water Point Supply System (FAWPSS) is being delivered to the distribution point during the U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) lead Vibrant Response 13-2 training exercise Aug. 2 at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The water blivet will be used to supply water to Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Night Hawk for hydration, cleaning, and cooking purposes. (Photo by 1LT Gregory Slater/Released)
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"]
Water purification specialist with Alpha Company, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, 63rd Tactical Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard headquartered out of Burlington, Ky., connect a water blivet to a UH-60 Black Hawk while conducting sling load operations during the U. S. Army North (Fifth Army) lead Vibrant Response 13-2 training exercise Aug. 2 at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The water blivet will be used to supply water to Soldiers at Forward Operating Base Night Hawk for hydration, cleaning, and cooking purposes. (Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandria Brimage-Gray/Released)
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="512"]
CAMP ATTERBURY, Ind. – Pvt. Nicholas Heath, a water purification specialist, with Alpha Company, 1204th Aviation Support Battalion, 63rd Tactical Aviation Brigade, Kentucky National Guard headquartered out of Burlington, Ky., conducts an inspection on the strainer as the water goes through a ultra filtration system during the U. S. Army North (Fifth Army) lead Vibrant Response 13-2 training exercise Aug. 2 at Camp Atterbury, Ind. The water moving through the strainer is the first step in the ultra filtration water purification process. (Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Alexandria Brimage-Gray/Released)