Breeden graduates air assault school, earns wings

Lt. John Breeden, of Kansas City, completes the repelling portion of his air assault school at Fort Benning, Ga. Breeden was one of nine infantrymen with the Missouri National Guard's 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment to recently graduate the physically and mentally demanding school. (Submitted Photo)




Lt. John Breeden, of Kansas City, completes the nine-event obstacle course during his air assault school at Fort Benning, Ga. Breeden was one of nine infantrymen with the Missouri National Guard's 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment to recently graduate the physically and mentally demanding school. (Submitted Photo)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Lt. John Breeden, of Kansas City, was one of nine Soldiers to recently graduate air assault school from the Missouri Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment.

The grueling 10 and a half days of training at Fort Benning, Ga. tested Soldiers both physically and mentally. Air assault school qualifies Soldiers to conduct airborne helicopter operations, such as slingload operations, rappelling techniques, aero-medical evacuation procedures and pathfinder operations.

"It's been said that air assault school is the 10 hardest days of your military career," said Breeden. "It gave me confidence in my ability that what I do helps my troops do their job even though it is difficult."

Soldiers are not considered "air assault students" until after successful completion of Zero Day, the first day of the course, which requires students to complete an obstacle course, two-mile run and an inspection of equipment prior to continuing training. The obstacle course is designed to assess a student's upper body strength, agility, endurance, confidence and ability to perform at heights without fear or distress.

Upon completion of the school, Soldiers were given a final test in order to graduate, a 12-mile road march. Troops wore full combat gear, a 45-pound rucksack and had to complete the challenge in three hours or less.

"To me it's more than just earning my wings," said Breeden. "It's what it means to my troops. I want them to know that they have leadership that will go the distance."

Lt. Col. Kevin Fujimoto, commander of the 1-138th, also understands the significance of cultivating strong leadership within the battalion.

"Each additional class of air assault graduates ultimately contributes to the battalion's ability to integrate aviation assets into all of our operations, substituting air transportation for our lack of speed and mobility," said Fujimoto. "It gives the battalion the ability to mass combat power over rough terrain, relentlessly hunting down and killing our nation's enemies where they otherwise would have sought sanctuary."

"Air assault, pathfinders, ranger school and airborne graduates add a combat multiplier unparalleled in most organizations that supports our ability to 'close with and destroy' the enemy," said Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Kennedy, of the 1-138th "The volume of seats available to the infantry for "hooah schools" additionally provides a tool for recruiting and retaining our war fighters in Missouri."

During the week, Breeden is a human resources specialist for the Headquarters, Headquarters Company, 1-138th. During drill weekends he serves as a mortar platoon leader for the battalion. Breeden is a 2008 graduate of Springfield Evangel University in Springfield with a Biblical studies degree.

If interested in career opportunities with the infantry please contact the human resources office at 816-922-5030.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

-30-

For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.