Even without receiving accolades or recognizable praise from higher commands, the "Spider" crew chiefs recognize the importance of their jobs. "Spider" crew chiefs and maintenance test pilots work around the clock to support the large flying hour program. "Every day the "Spiders" of today work toward adding to the unit's long and growing legacy."Īlthough flying combat missions garner the most attention on a daily basis, maintenance operations on the hot Salerno flight line drive every day operations. "I look forward to keeping up the proud lineage of the Spiders before us from the Vietnam era," said Chief Warrant Officer Huebscher.
Jason Struckman, flight instructor, A Co., 4/3 Avn., TF Viper, from San Diego, Calif., to launch them into the Afghanistan sky. Streak, Climax, and Seduction sit patiently on the flight line waiting for aviators like Chief Warrant Officer Nigel Huebscher, standardization officer, A Co., 4/3 Avn., TF Viper, from Abrams, Wis., and Sgt. Sudden Death, Satisfaction, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Cold Sweat, The O.D.
aircraft are fittingly named after their Vietnam counterparts. Army is an awesome feeling and a responsibility that I take seriously," said Chief Warrant Officer Jim Layne, tactical operations officer, A Co., 4/3 Avn., TF Viper, from Wheelersburg, Ohio.Įach of the A Co. "Being in one of the most storied helicopter companies in the U.S. The responsibility of upholding the legacy of their Vietnam brethren is not lost on the current "Spiders" of Company A. When the unit was re-designated as C Company, 101st Aviation Bn, in 1968 the gunships were reassigned to D company 101st Aviation Battalion and became the HAWKS.) (Note: The Spiders were not the only ones in the 188th, but were instead the gunship platoon that flew in support of the two slick platoons that were also part of the three flight platoons of the company known as the Black Widows. Upon the completion of a successful engagement, the "Spiders" would always sign off with ground forces using their well-earned motto, "Guns up!" The "Spiders" of Vietnam were known to the ground Soldiers and Green Berets as "The Spider People," and were characterized by their reputation for being the only helicopters brave enough to launch when ground units were under heavy enemy fire. During the 1960s they made a name for itself as an armed UH-1 "Huey" gun platoon. The Spiders 24-hour coverage over the P2K region ensures ground force commanders have the flexibility to move combat power when needed.Ī company with a call sign that dates back to Vietnam, the "Spiders," first made a name for themselves as the 188th Assault Helicopter Company. One way to quickly move combat power on the battlefield in order to capitalize on enemy weaknesses is through the use of Viper's Black Hawks. Maintaining momentum is key to exploiting enemy weaknesses and capitalizing on friendly gains on the battlefield. "Timely insertion of troops and equipment give ground force commanders the momentum they need to defeat the enemy," said Chief Warrant Officer Rich Satterfield, a pilot with A Co., 4/3 Avn., TF Viper, from Patterson, N.J. They are Company A, "SPIDERS" (4th Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment), 1st Battalion, 3rd Aviation Regiment, Task Force Viper's lethal Black Hawk unit who is continuously entrusted by Soldiers with the mission of safe passage across the P2K region of the provinces Paktika, Paktiya and Khowst.
By the time a 30-second call is passed back over the intercom system, the Soldiers' shouts of excitement and enthusiasm become a roar that seems to overcome the noise from the engines and the rotor blades.īased out of Forward Operating Base Salerno, these Black Hawks soaring through the air are not your ordinary helicopter unit. The pilot calls, "one minute" as the crew chief relays back to the team leader on board with hand signals and a shout. The twin 1,800-horse power engines roar with power as the 'hawks begin their approach into what is expected to be an extremely dusty landing zone in a dry river bed. Dustin Healey, 4/3 Avn., 3rd CAB, TF FalconįORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan - Under a blanket of darkness two Black Hawks maneuver low to the ground as they advance vigilantly toward an enemy safe haven, poised to insert lethal ground forces. About Us / Our History Article found online – “Along came the Spiders” By Capt.
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