Depending on the mission, the Falcon Team flies with one or two pilots on the Lakota. A crew chief is on board at all times.
MIMICKING MISSION
Rollie has been the commander of this unit for over 18 months. “The most-flown mission for us is White Chase Mission,” he said. “Essentially, we fly as umpires. We bring a referee onboard any participating helicopter that flies in our training exercise. If it’s a Black Hawk or a Chinook, a referee rides in that aircraft with them. When Apaches or Eurocopter Tigers conduct their training, we chase along with one of our green Lakotas.
“When I’m on the White Chase mission, I’m watching a team that operates helicopters as they move forward in battle. I overhear their internal conversations on targets they want to shoot, or when they call for artillery support or report that they’re making back to the higher headquarters. Prior to the mission, the OCTs are coaching them through their preparation. When we go out and fly, we watch the mission unfold. After returning to the CTC, we debrief the crews and give them feedback on how their mission went.”
The four camouflaged aircraft fly the opposing force (OPFOR) or “Red Air” mission. For this mission, the LUHs are equipped with the L3Harris Wescam MX-15i EO/IR sensor system and the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) / Tactical Engagement Simulation System (TESS) that make training even more realistic for troops. With the MILES/TESS gear, targets can be attacked without using ammunition. The LUH itself can also be “shot” by visiting units during the training.
“Even during the Red Air missions, we continue to perform our OCT role,” Rollie said. “For me, the best coaches are the enemy. I can instruct someone on the correct approach or
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procedure. If not correct, they perish during the laser-tag game. With regards to flying, replicating Red Air missions is the most interesting and fun mission for me – flying around in the middle of the night to shoot at the good guys. As a former Apache pilot, these are the most dynamic missions for me to fly.
“Even though in the Red Air missions we stage the Lakota as an enemy helicopter, I fly it like an Apache. We do not necessarily mirror Russian tactics, but the weapons we replicate are based on those from the Eastern Bloc inventory. Within our organization, we call these Red Air missions “Sokol” – the Russian word for Falcon.
The Falcon Team also flies Blue Air scenarios with the green- colored LUHs, operating as friendly units, plus Green Air scenarios. “During the Green Air mission, we are typically in a position to observe – say two Apaches – as they’re fighting,” Rollie said. “At an altitude of 3,000 feet, I can keep an eye on both of them. Due to the nap of the Earth, those Apaches will actually not be in radio comms with everyone as they operate very low. Whereas, I am up high and can talk to them, while I’m watching their mission unfold.”
NEW KID IN TOWN
In April 2010, the eight UH-72A LUH Lakotas replaced a fleet of 10 aging UH-1 Iroquois. According to the Lakota Operational Test and Evaluation Report, “The LUH costs less to operate and support than a Black Hawk. Compared to its predecessor,
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