Infantry Scouts train on aircraft landing at Camp Clark

Soldiers from the 1/138th Infantry Regiment train hard every drill weekend, but one group of elite infantry scouts take their training to another level. "The scouts provide the primary pathfinder expertise to map and mark landing zones in order to support battalion movements," said Lt. Col. Kevin Fujimoto, commander of the 1/138th. "They establish landing zones for multiple aircraft to pick up and move our Soldiers at night, providing the air traffic controls necessary to clear airspace and the ground marking and advisories necessary to safely land the aircraft." The scouts practiced this mission during drill at Camp Clark. The objective was to establish a landing zone for a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.

The scouts, led by Sgt. 1st Class Brian Gustin, surveyed the parade field at Camp Clark to find a suitable place for the helicopter to land. The scouts must consider a variety of factors when bringing in an aircraft.

"You need to observe anything in the area and make a decision about where the aircraft will be able to land safely," Gustin told the scouts preparing the landing zone. "You have power lines over there, trees over there. You also have to consider the weather conditions. Which way is the wind blowing and how fast?" Scouts used reflective orange flags arranged in a Y to indicate to the pilots of the helicopter where the landing zone was. A primary and secondary radio talker established a communications link with the helicopter pilots and relayed information about the landing zone. A signalman on the ground in front of the landing zone gave directions to the pilots during the landing.

"The important task is to identify any hazards to landing or departing aircraft like wires, trees, man-made structures and obstacles on the ground," said Col. John Anderson, commander of the 35th Combat Aviation Brigade. "In this scenario, the live ranges provided some realistic training to avoid over-flight of the active ranges, which were in close proximity to the landing zone." For many of these Scouts, this was the first time training with real aircraft.

"It was a rush," said Pvt. Kenny Walker, of Lathrop, Mo. "I was in control of landing a multi-million dollar aircraft during my first drill in the National Guard. This has me pretty ramped up, now I'm considering going to Pathfinder school." Aircraft movement is not the scouts' only mission. They are also responsible for gathering intelligence so commanders can make decisions about where and how to deploy assets on the battlefield.

"Unlike the Soldiers in the weapons companies, the scouts are not tasked to close with and destroy the enemy," said Fujimoto. "Instead, they conduct area, zone, and route reconnaissance missions in order to collect information. Scouts are the eyes and ears of the commander. They provide 'eyes-on' information of certain areas in order to develop the situation and give the commander a better understanding of the terrain, level of enemy activity, and confirm or deny enemy capabilities."

Scouts have a unique mission that often requires them to work in smaller groups than rifle or weapons platoons. They also do not carry heavy weaponry and are held to the highest standards.

"Since scouts operate independently, with limited firepower, and are required to exercise strict fire control measures," said Fujimoto. "Soldiers assigned to a Scout platoon are usually required to maintain a higher level of physical fitness, weapons competency, as well as attend and graduate from additional schools that may not normally be required in other infantry units."

For more information on becoming an infantry Scout, contact Sgt. 1st Class Mark Huitt at (816) 911-5031.