Army 301st PSYOP 'chutes' for Edwards

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
The Army's 301st Psychological Operations Company stormed Edwards range as they performed a parachute drop here Jan. 26.

The 301st PSYOP Company also performed a combat training at the small-arms range here as part of their Reserve training.

The Air Drop and Range training is part of the agreement with the different services to conduct and sustain battle-focus training in the form of airborne operations, said Army Maj. David Mann, 301st PSYOP Company commander. The team's goal at Edwards is to conduct an airborne insertion and tactical assembly that typically focuses on urban combat marksmanship and psychological operations-specific tasks.

"This is a good opportunity for us to work in cooperation with the Air Force," said Army Capt. Jeff Peterman, 301st PSYOP Company operations officer. "The trainings are something we do regularly, but because we don't always get to work with other services, this gives us a unique opportunity to coordinate and plan with the Air Force and to have a better understanding how the Air Force works and operates their bases. As the military gets smaller and smaller, we find ourselves using other services' installations and training more often."

Prior to their engagement here, the team used to train at Camp Pendleton in San Diego.
"We are slowly losing our training area at San Diego due to urban encroachment and the high operational tempo the Marine Corps is maintaining at Camp Pendleton," Captain Peterman said.

Being an Army Reserve unit, the 301st PSYOP is the lowest on the priority list, Captain Peterman said. It has become harder and harder for the 301st PSYOP Company to schedule training areas, drop zones and ranges at Camp Pendleton, which is also their historic training area.

"Edwards is a prime location," said Army Col. Gary Medvigy, 7th Psychological Operations Group commander. "It is very wide and a very safe drop zone. It is also in high elevation. We are trying to move around and try different venues so as not to get complacent with just one location."

Besides a couple of surveyed drop zones, Edwards also has a small arms range the Soldiers can use, Captain Peterman said.

With their parachutes, about 30 Soldiers jumped from an Idaho National Guard C-130 Hercules with their combat equipment consisting of an Alice pack (a green back pack) and their M-16 rifles.

Their training started 7 a.m. Jan. 26 with pre-jump training at San Diego. This consisted of simulated parachute landing falls, thorough briefings on what to expect from the drop zone such as any obstacles and hazards that the Soldiers need to be aware.

The training also included an airdrop plan consisting of how many passes the aircraft would make, how many people would have to jump, in what order and the assembly plan after the landing.

"The drop zones here are awesome," said Army Spc. Jeff Reick, 301st PSYOP Company specialist. "This is one of the nicest drop zones. It is nice to land on a zone without much debris."

Soldiers are required to attend the three-week-long Army Basic Airborne course at Fort Benning, Ga., Captain Peterman said. Once they complete the training and come back to their units, they have to jump five times a year to maintain the level of proficiency. And this event is part of the proficiency training.

After the parachute training, the Soldiers also performed their weapons training at the small arms firing range here Saturday. This is part of the Soldiers' requirement to shoot the Army qualification course with their assigned weapon which is an M-16 twice a year.

The psychological operation's focus is to support the legitimacy of the Iraqi government, Major Mann said. While deployed in their area of responsibility, they interact with the local populace, drop leaflets, hand bills, and perform radio traffic and television commercials.

"The big component about this operation is that we stay true with our words, and our ideals are beneficial to everyone," Colonel Medvigy said.

The 301st PSYOP Company is a member of the 14th Psychological Operations Battalion and the 7th Psychological Operations Group, both headquartered at Moffet Field in San Jose, Calif. The 301st PSYOP Company is the only airborne company in the entire 7th PSYOP Group.

A single PSYOP company typically supports a division level. The 60-member 301st Company supports about 10,000 people. With this, three soldiers support an entire battalion.

"I have to say the 301st (PSYOP Company) is an elite PSYOP because of the airborne operation which are high risk," Major Mann said.

"We've got one of the best Reserve companies in the United States," Colonel Medvigy said. "The capabilities, experience level, retention and the training that they do are high caliber."

Specialist Reick said he is proud to be part of the 301st PSYOP Company.
"The PSYOP personnel go out with different teams and find our about what's going on and also help people out," Specialist Reick said. "I am very excited and very enthused about being part of this organization."

Providing support from Edwards were the 95th Medical Group's emergency medical technician team; the Youth Center who provided the center's gymnasium for quarters; the Base Operations; and the Airfield Management.

"The Edwards support is super," Colonel Medvigy said. "This is a great start, a great introduction. My appreciation goes to the command here for allowing us to use their facilities."