Alaska Army National Guard trains at Marine Course

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON — Aviators from the Alaska Army National Guard and the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence is currently training at the Marine Corps Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course at Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona.

According to a recent press release, the training runs from March 4 to April 20 and it's hosted by the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Squadron 1.

The press release also indicated that this is the first time U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk crews (other than Special Forces) have taken part in the highly competitive and intense joint training course which is commonly referred to as the “Top Gun” of Marine Corps aviation.

A statement from the Marine Corps website described the training: “The Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course is a fully integrated course of instruction for highly experienced and fully qualified officers from all aviation communities. Officers from ground combat, combat support, and combat service support also attend the course to ensure appropriate air-ground interface.”

This course offers training for the complex integration of all Marine aviation assets, ground forces, command and control systems, logistics, and air defense assets.

14 Alaska Army National Guard soldiers are involved in the aviation detachment consisting of 18 total soldiers.

An Alaska Air National Guard C-17 Globemaster III transported two AKARNG UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters from JBER to the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma in early March to participate in the training.

Aircrews will train with members of the Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force using two hoist-capable Black Hawks with extended range fuel tanks to fly a rigorous schedule of simulated combat missions with U.S., allied and opposing force fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

According to the press release, knowledge gained from the training will help the Army grow its aviation training methodology and combat tactics as it trains to counter a near peer threat.

The Alaska guardsmen will graduate April 22 after completing their objectives.

For more information, visit ak.ng.mil.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com