 Air Assault qualified soldiers from across 1st Brigade conducted sling load training on May 28th as ground crews attempted to lift a 1097 Humvee. Aviation Mission's survivability officer, Chief Warren Officer 3, Taboski Snipes says sling load operations greatly benefit 1st Brigade. The sling load is very effective and very important and the reason is because it keeps our soldiers off the roads away from ID threat and the fact that they can sling load equipment and personnel greatly expedites the time frame from mission tasks to mission execution and mission completion. Each soldier must work independently but is also a vital part of their collaborative team. Alpha Company, 3rd BSB Commander Captain Crystal Pena Herrera says these duties require exceptional soldiers. Every item, each item has to be inspected to precision so it's very important for them to understand that responsibility. So we're looking for mature soldiers that can take that responsibility on. The soldiers staged in the Humvee as the CH-47 Chinook crew looked on. Sling load experience varied between team members with some new soldiers having just completed Air Assault school. Each soldier had to achieve a minimum of 90% proficiency in all stationary inspections to participate in the Humvee training. The Alpha Company Gators are forming sling load teams in preparation of possible mission-based scenarios at the National Training Center. Showing that many hands make light work, I'm Army Sergeant Dean Gannon.