U.S. Guardsmen from 149th Aviation Regiment in preparation for deployment in Middle East 11801176.

The GSAB are deploying three companies comprised of aviators, maintainers and fuel technicians for CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Much of the GSAB’s training at Camp Gruber is focused on general Soldier skills, which are refreshed annually and prior to any deployment. When needed, Camp Gruber’s training cadre make modifications to the standard pre-mobilization training tasks to suit the needs of more specialized military units.

“They’ve got a lot of good training,” said Sgt. 1st Class Richard Pindel, operations non-commissioned officer for the GSAB. “We’re making this iteration a little more realistic for them; this will help them with their survival skills. This is basically a pseudo SERE lane for them.”

Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) is a program that provides U.S. military personnel with training in evading capture, survival skills, and the military code of conduct. The Army aviators, flight crews and fuel technicians of the GSAB have all trained in these tactics.

“We mainly are tasked with hauling personnel and gear, both internal and external loads,” said Sgt. Grant Atteberry, a Chinook maintainer with Bravo Company. “We carry all things from mail to large shipping containers that are externally sling loaded and everything in between.”

This is Atteberry’s second deployment. He combines his military experience with his civilian job experience as a Cleveland County Sheriff’s Deputy to increase his effectiveness in both areas of his life.

“The training has been good. With every unit that comes through, with every mobilization the training gets better,” Atteberry said. “Things like the Combat Life Saver courses provide me with additional tools to build upon what I get civilian side. If I respond to a scene, a car wreck or anything of the sort where someone is injured, I have further training to render aid to that person prior to civilian medical getting there.”