Missouri National Guard aviation company steps up to annual training

Sgt. Tom Black, of Columbia, and Sgt. Michael Collins, of Mount Vernon, cross-train while performing maintenance on a five-ton military vehicle during annual training at the Missouri National Guard flight facility in Springfield. The Citizen-Soldiers from Bravo Company, 1107th Aviation Group, provide ground maintenance support for the 450-member aviation group as a whole. (Ann Keyes/Missouri National Guard)

By Ann Keyes
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A group of Missouri National Guard Soldiers divided their time between Neosho and Springfield during this year's annual training exercise.
Company B of the Missouri National Guard's 1107th Aviation Group began annual training at Camp Crowder working on Army warrior tasks before transitioning to the Guard's aviation facility in Springfield for training.

The Soldiers began their two-week annual training in a classroom before simulating battles with opposing forces using real action paintball guns. The weapons replicate the actual weight and feel of weapons Soldiers use on a battlefield, said 1st Sgt. Kaonis Thomas, of St. Louis.

The company became more familiar with the M-249 Squad Automatic Weapon or SAW, a belt-fed, fully automatic machine gun designed to be attached to a turret or to be handheld.
"It's a privilege to get to shoot something like that," said Spc. Jamie Jimenez, of Willard, of the light crew-served weapon.

The group also utilized its military occupational specialties during its time in the field as cooks prepared meals and medics treated simulated wounds. The company, which has a maintenance platform, then went into action in Springfield by performing maintenance on ground-based military vehicles - a skill set not previously necessary for the 1107th.

"Bravo Company is a young company," said Thomas of the group that was formalized in fall of 2009. "It's exciting because a lot of Soldiers are coming to our unit straight from basic and advanced individual Army training. They have a fresh mindset. They're motivated and welcome to change."
Thomas notes he reinforces morale, teamwork and cohesiveness. He also relies on the talents of noncommissioned officers.

"While some in the unit are new to the Army or the skill-sets, others come experienced from other units or are already familiar with the 1107th. The list is long of those who know how to do their job and are willing to share their knowledge," Thomas said.

Sgt. Tom Black, of Columbia, and Sgt. Michael Collins, of Mount Vernon, performed annual service on a five-ton military truck at the aircraft facility in Springfield. Collins, a non-mechanic, assisted Black, a mechanic.

"In war, you never know when you're going to have to do another Soldier's job," said Thomas.
Following a Maintenance Strategy Action Plan, Company B Soldiers are sustaining equipment readiness, prioritizing maintenance, and undergoing required operator training by following a detailed checklist. Thomas also emphasized half the group's training time is spent qualifying on weapons and working on health and fitness.

"Soldier first and military occupational specialty second," he said.
Supporting the 1107th Aviation Group as a whole is a tall task. The group holds some 450 Soldiers who primarily perform maintenance on rotary wing aircraft.

Thomas, who has been a part of eight units over his 22 years of Reserve service, has participated in unit restructuring several times. He is confidant Company B is up for the mission, he said.
"We're still growing; we're still growing as a unit. We are still receiving equipment," Thomas said. "And every drill gets better. I think they're doing an excellent job."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-888-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com