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A loadmaster on the U.S. Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter used to transport cadets and educators to the training area conducts pre-takeoff checks.

ROTC cadets secure the area around a Jeep before tending to a "wounded" comrade.

ROTC maneuvering to impress

Training exercises bring OSU, WOU faculty together to experience flight, observe operational methods

By: Katy Weaver

Posted: 5/14/08

Dummy M-16s in hand, rucks on their backs, OSU's junior-year ROTC cadets briefed, loaded and took flight to raid simulated houses just off campus.

Joining cadets in the Blackhawk were faculty and staff of OSU and Western Oregon University.

Staff were bussed from OSU to WOU and were then given the opportunity to fly in the helicopter back to the ROTC training site just off OSU's campus.

"I thought it would be more shaky than it was," said Mona K-Hinds, a counselor for the Upward Bound program at Western. "The helicopter wasn't as loud as I thought, and I got to sit up in the front and see all the instruments. It was absolutely awesome and exciting."

The educator flight takes place every year to give educators the chance to go up in a helicopter and learn about the ROTC program, as well as allow junior ROTC members to practice a raid on safe houses for their Leadership Development Assessment Course this summer.

The practice raid and helicopter landing occurred at the OSU poultry area, a space used often by the ROTC.

"It is a local training area owned and operated by the animal science department, but they give us liberal use of the area," said Kenneth Strawn, an ROTC cadet and senior in animal science.

Once everyone arrived at the site, whether by van or helicopter, they were briefed about the raid, the exact procedures and were able to observe the cadets drilling.

ROTC students must go through a strict set of procedures when preparing for a raid. The same procedures are used in real-life situations here and overseas.

"What they learn here is a major backbone of all executions that happen in the army and here at the ROTC," Strawn said. "If this was a major operation, they'd be looking at maps, analyzing and rehearsing all the contingencies and preparing for what would happen if there were civilians around or an [improvised explosive device] in a vehicle."

The cadets went through a series of maneuvers in which they went up in the Blackhawk, landed on the site, walked cautiously through a wooded area and then raided two constructed "safe houses" to capture two "prisoners of war."

The cadets focused heavily on maintaining their communication and securing the area. They also demonstrated what they would have to do if the captured prisoner was injured. The captured individual was then carried out on a stretcher after cadets conducted a body search.

While going through the training, the cadets completely ignored the spectators that were watching their every move.

"We're always being evaluated, so its nice to have someone who hasn't evaluated us all year long evaluate us or watch us today," said Andrew Bisset, a junior in political science and one of the cadets who practiced in the raid.

Overall, the people who attended were pleased by what they were able to experience and watch.

"It was my first time in a helicopter," said Carl Thomas, OSU's associate director of admissions. "The ride was incredible and very smooth. They were also impressive in regard to presentation - they were very knowledgeable about their career, profession and equipment. We even got to fly over the stadium. For beaver fans, it was awesome."

Katy Weaver, assistant news editor

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231