Young Assault Strip reopens for training

After two years of work by the Fort McCoy Range Division, the Young Assault Strip is back in action.

An Air Force C130 Hercules aircraft comes in for a landing at Young Assault Strip. (Photo by Gene Nall)

Two years ago the strip, a 3,500-foot improved dirt landing surface, was not certified for aircraft because the approaches had grown over with trees.

During annual training in 1999, the 173rd Engineer Battalion, an element of the 32nd Separate Infantry Brigade (Mech.), Wisconsin National Guard, cleared the approaches incorporating several Mission Essential Training Tasks into the work. The Range Division Land Restoration and Maintenance crew then cleared the debris. Range Maintenance along with members of the Directorate of Support Services prepared the strip by packing in the dirt. Lastly, an Air Force team from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., certified the strip as usable.

On Oct. 15, the 440th Air Lift Wing (ALW) landed three C130 Hercules aircraft, uploaded 59 Marines, two high mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicles or HMMWVs and a trailer from F Company 2nd/24th Marines and flew to their home station. The 440th ALW, otherwise known as the Flying Badgers, is a Wisconsin Air National Guard unit stationed in Milwaukee. F Company 2nd/24th Marines is a Marine Reserve infantry unit also stationed in Milwaukee.

An Air Force C130 Hercules aircraft comes in for a landing at Young Assault Strip. (Photo by Gene Nall)

According to Senior Master Sgt. Tom Kamps, the senior ground controller, the 440th ALW must conduct dirt strip landings and takeoffs several times a year to remain certified. To emphasize the importance of this training, the aircrews took this opportunity to conduct several landings and takeoffs before loading the personnel and vehicles. Having McCoy’s strip open enables the 440th ALW to conduct more training because it is so close. Otherwise the unit has to travel farther to achieve the same results.

The Fort McCoy Fire Department Crash and Rescue Unit was on standby at the strip during operations. Normally, this unit supports the airfield, and this exercise enabled unit members to experience a different training scenario.

Several members of F Company 2nd/24th Company expressed how pleased they were to participate in this realistic training. The unit usually returns to home station on buses.

The 440th ALW plans to return here in November and then resume training in the spring. Up to now, the 440th ALW only has been able to use Badger Drop Zone several times a year for container drops to remain certified.

Fort McCoy already has received inquiries from the Minnesota Air Guard for use of the strip. Units from Massachusetts and New York who will come here for annual training will use the strip’s availability as a training incentive for aircrews who may fly them here.