Between June 18 and 19, the Argentine Army Aviation Directorate conducted a shooting exercise using 7.62mm caliber machine guns and pods. The activity took place at the shooting range of the 8th Tank Cavalry Regiment located in Magdalena, Buenos Aires province.
During the early morning, a logistics section from the Army Aviation Directorate moved to the 8th Tank Cavalry Regiment (RC Tan 8) to prepare the landing zone for the mobile echelon, refuel the helicopters, and begin rationing provisions for the mobilized personnel.
Once the weather cleared, the mobile echelon, consisting of three Bell UH-1H Huey II helicopters from the 601st Assault Helicopter Battalion, two Bell UH-1H helicopters, and one Agusta Bell AB-206 from the 602nd Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron, arrived at the unit’s shooting range. After refueling and assembling the necessary equipment, the exercise commenced.
The Reconnaissance and Attack Squadron began the activity with a field reconnaissance and high-definition imaging using their Fiex View FLIR, capturing images of the entire operation for later analysis during a debriefing session. Subsequently, the UH-1H helicopters from the squadron conducted shooting runs with their SF-260 pods loaded with 7.62mm ammunition, including dives and low-level flight maneuvers.
Following this phase, the 601st Assault Helicopter Battalion conducted shooting exercises with Mag 7.62 machine guns on door gunner mounts, engaging pre-established targets on the ground while flying at low altitude.
This deployment highlights the training and readiness of the Argentine Army Aviation Directorate. Despite lasting only two days, the Directorate set up a field landing strip away from their base (Campo de Mayo), prepared aircraft for the exercise, conducted the shooting exercises, and performed “hot” refueling operations both at the aerodrome and within the regiment’s compound. This demonstrates the high level of proficiency achieved by all personnel in such combat techniques, which are crucial even in confined spaces.
*Photographs and coverage for Zona Militar: Ignacio Vivas Mansini
You may also like: F-16 for the Argentine Air Force – What the Training Center to be built at the VI Air Brigade will consist of
