Taking place in the proximities of Campo de Mayo, the Argentine Army concluded another edition of the Air Assault Course through the deployment of various air and ground units along with personnel. These activities, encompassed within the annual training program, are typically conducted by the 601 Air Assault Regiment to train soldiers, cadets, non-commissioned officers, and officers specialized in techniques and skills that require combined operations with air assets such as transport helicopters.
The activities witnessed during yesterday’s session at Campo de Mayo mark the conclusion of the Air Assault Course. Throughout this course, participants had to overcome various stages that tested their skills in this specialty. As observed in previous years, these stages included physical and intellectual assessments aimed at equipping personnel with specific knowledge and practices for operating the primary rotary-wing aircraft available to the Army Aviation Command in Air Assault operations.
Regarding yesterday’s activities specifically, the completion of this course involved the participation of troops from the IV Airborne Brigade. Specifically, from the 601 Air Assault Regiment (R Asal Ae 601) and the 2nd Parachute Infantry Regiment “General Balcarce” (RI Parac 2), with the involvement of personnel from the 1st Infantry Regiment “Patricios” as well.
Furthermore, this activity involved the support and deployment of various fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft from the Army Aviation Command. In more detail, the 601 Assault Helicopter Squadron deployed its Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopters equipped with rappelling and fast rope gear, with door gunners armed with MAG machine guns visible on each door.
The presence of the 602 Reconnaissance and Attack Aviation Squadron was also notable, assigned to recognise and provide cover for the air assault actions taking place on the ground. Here, the deployment of one of the Agusta Bell AB-206 helicopters equipped with the new FixView sensor pod from the Cordoban company was observed, as well as a Bell UH-1H armed with 7.62mm machine guns and rockets. Finally, in terms of aircraft assets, the 601 Combat Support Aviation Battalion was represented by its Cessna 208B Grand Caravan EX and CASA C212.
As previously mentioned, the activity conducted at Campo de Mayo marked the conclusion of a new edition of the Air Assault Course, during which various practical maneuvers trained by the participants over the past weeks were demonstrated. So much so that the personnel conducted descents from helicopters using rappelling and fast rope techniques, in order to execute an advance for the takeover of an airfield and subsequent control. Additionally, through the presence of an armed UH-1H, various firing runs were simulated to provide protection to troops on the ground and suppress enemy targets. Furthermore, with the presence of fixed-wing aircraft, the loading and unloading of 4×4 Polaris tactical vehicles for the deployment of forward elements for reconnaissance missions were carried out, as well as the transportation of loads by helicopters using slings.
You may also like: Coverage – Within the operational activity of Argentina’s 24th Mechanized Infantry Regiment
